Senate Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi, EGH, MP, has called on national and county leaders to renew their commitment to devolution, describing it as Kenya’s most transformative governance shift since independence and a guarantor of equity, inclusion and social justice.

Addressing the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, Speaker Kingi said the gathering was not a routine event but a national obligation to safeguard and advance the lives of Kenyans through a system designed to bring government closer to the people. Marking 14 years since the operationalisation of devolution, he reflected on its impact, from improved access to maternal health in Turkana, to vocational training for youth in Homa Bay and agricultural extension services in Embu.

“We reimagined a Kenya where no county, no village, no Kenyan would be left behind. And while the journey has not been perfect, it has been profoundly transformational,” he said, citing new health facilities, better rural roads, revitalised early childhood education and increased citizen participation in governance as evidence of its success.

The Speaker reaffirmed the Senate’s constitutional mandate as the protector of counties, noting that since 2013, over KES 4 trillion has been allocated to devolved units. Oversight has been strengthened through the County Public Accounts Committee and landmark laws such as the County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Act have been passed to guarantee financial autonomy for county assemblies. He commended Senators for their unity in passing the Fourth Revenue Sharing Formula without the acrimony that marked similar exercises in the past, adding, “Without the Senate, devolution would be a shell. With the Senate, it has become a shield for the aspirations of all Kenyans.”

While celebrating the gains, Kingi warned of persistent challenges, including corruption in some counties, refusal by certain governors to honour Senate summons, duplication of roles between the national and county governments, over-reliance on the Exchequer, wrangles within county assemblies and delayed disbursement of funds. He cautioned that these realities threaten to erode public trust and slow progress, stressing the need for decisive action to secure the next decade of devolution.

He urged better coordination between the two levels of government, timely and predictable release of county funds, stronger accountability systems, investment in county capacity and the promotion of economic devolution that would move industries, jobs and investments to the grassroots. Speaker Kingi also emphasised the need for substantive public participation, harmonisation of laws to support county functions and the complete transfer of all devolved functions as envisaged in the Constitution.

The host Senator, Moses Kajwang’, used the opportunity to thank the organisers of the conference and highlighted various strides made in Homa Bay County. He praised devolution and appealed to leaders and stakeholders to fully embrace it.

He said devolution is Kenya`s shared inheritance that requires vigilance, leadership and unrelenting commitment to succeed.