Kenya’s devolution, enshrined in the 2010 Constitution, marked a transformative shift in governance, creating two levels of government with distinct roles and responsibilities.
This framework aimed to address historical marginalization, particularly in regions like Northern Kenya, by empowering county governments to deliver services and drive development closer to the people.
However, a troubling narrative has emerged, one that pits Members of Parliament (MPs) against governors in a battle fueled by jealousy, misinformation, and a failure to prioritize the region’s pressing needs.
This article examines the impact of devolution in Northern Kenya, particularly in Wajir County, and critiques the misplaced focus of Northern MPs who target governors instead of holding the national government accountable for equitable resource allocation.
The Promise of Devolution: A Lifeline for Northern Kenya
For decades, Northern Kenya—comprising counties like Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa—has endured systemic neglect. The region has been plagued by poor infrastructure, inadequate educational facilities, limited healthcare, and persistent insecurity.
Major roads connecting these counties to Nairobi remain largely untarmacked, the national electricity grid is absent in many areas, and schools suffer from understaffing and reliance on Board of Management (BOM) teachers.
These challenges, rooted in centralized governance pre-2010, left Northern Kenya on the margins of national development.
Devolution changed this trajectory. By allocating at least 15% of national revenue to counties, the Constitution empowered local governments to address these gaps. In Wajir County, the results are undeniable.
For the first time in history, 89% of the county headquarters is tarmacked, a stark contrast to the dusty roads of the past. The county now boasts ,one level 5 ,over 12 Level Four hospitals and 178 health facilities, up from a single doctor before devolution to a workforce of over 1,200, including 22 specialists and 65 medical doctors.
Water access has improved dramatically, with over 400 boreholes compared to just 80 pre-devolution. These achievements, accomplished with a modest share of the national budget, demonstrate the transformative power of devolved governance.
The Misplaced Focus of Northern MPs
Despite these gains, Northern MPs have directed their energies not toward securing a fairer share of the national budget but toward vilifying governors.
In National Assembly proceedings, their contributions often revolve around accusations against county leaders, painting them as looters without evidence. This narrative is not only divisive but also distracts from their primary role: representing their constituents and overseeing the national government.
The 2025/2026 Budget Policy Statement, adopted by the National Assembly, allocated Ksh 4.239 trillion nationally, yet Northern Counties received a mere Ksh 13 billion—a paltry fraction of the “national cake.” Why, then, do MPs lack the same fervor to challenge the National Treasury or the President on this inequity?
The Constitution assigns oversight of county governments to County Assemblies and the Senate, not MPs. By encroaching on these roles, MPs undermine the very framework they are sworn to uphold.
Their focus on governors appears driven by envy of the autonomy and resources counties command—resources that, while limited, have delivered tangible results.
This jealousy manifests in a destructive mindset: if they are not in control, they seek to discredit those who are. Such actions betray the people of Northern Kenya, who deserve leaders united in the fight for development, not divided by petty rivalries.
The Failure to Oversight the National Government
The neglect of Northern Kenya predates devolution, spanning 64 years of independence. MPs have failed to secure critical infrastructure like tarmacked roads from Nairobi to Mandera, national grid connectivity, or adequate staffing for schools. Instead of holding the national government accountable for these shortcomings, they scapegoat governors, who operate with just 15% of national revenue.
This misdirected energy highlights a deeper issue: a lack of vision and courage to confront systemic inequities. Contrast this with MPs from other regions, who aggressively lobby for infrastructure, industrial projects, and educational institutions.
Northern MPs must emulate this tenacity, demanding answers on why their region remains underserved despite its vast potential. The Equalization Fund, designed to address regional disparities, received Ksh 7.852 billion in the 2025/2026 budget, with an additional Ksh 2.747 billion to clear arrears.
Yet, the impact of this fund in Northern Kenya remains limited, raising questions about MPs’ oversight of its implementation.
The Myth of the “Looting Governor”
The notion that governors are inherently corrupt is a lazy stereotype, often propagated without evidence. While accountability is crucial—and mechanisms like the Auditor General and County Assemblies exist for this purpose—blanket accusations serve only to undermine devolution.
In Wajir, the county government’s achievements in health, infrastructure, and water supply were realized despite receiving meager resources. These successes challenge the narrative of widespread looting and highlight the efficiency of devolved governance when led by committed leaders.
MPs’ fixation on governors also ignores the broader context of corruption, which plagues both national and county levels. The National Assembly’s own oversight mechanisms, such as the Public Accounts Committee, have exposed mismanagement of national funds, yet MPs rarely turn the same scrutiny inward or toward the Executive.
This selective outrage further erodes public trust and diverts attention from the real issue: equitable resource distribution.
A Call for Unity and Accountability
Devolution is not perfect, but it has delivered where centralized governance failed. Northern MPs must shift their focus from attacking governors to advocating for their region’s fair share of national resources. They should demand equitable budget allocations by challenging the National Treasury on the disproportionate allocation of Ksh 13 billion to Northern Counties out of a Ksh 4.239 trillion budget.
Secondly, strengthen oversight of the National Government: Hold the President and Cabinet accountable for delays in critical infrastructure like roads, electricity, and educational facilities.
Thirdy, Support Devolution: Work collaboratively with governors and County Assemblies to maximize the impact of devolved funds.
Forthly, Engage Constituents: Educate communities on the roles of MPs versus governors to foster informed participation in governance.
The jealousy-driven narrative that pits MPs against governors must end. Northern Kenya’s development hinges on unity, not division. As a region that has suffered marginalization for over six decades, it cannot afford leaders who prioritize personal grudges over collective progress.
Devolution has shown what is possible with limited resources; imagine the potential if MPs fought for the remaining 85% of the national budget with the same zeal they direct at governors.
Lastly, Kenya’s devolution is a constitutional triumph; bringing services and development to regions long ignored. In Wajir and other Northern Counties, the dividends are clear: better roads, improved healthcare, and enhanced water access.
Yet, the promise of devolution is threatened by MPs who, instead of championing their region’s cause, target governors out of jealousy and misplaced priorities. Northern Kenya deserves leaders who will fight for its rightful share of the national cake, not those who spoil the little it has.
Let MPs leave county oversight to the Senate and County Assemblies, and focus on delivering the roads, electricity, and schools their people have waited 64 years to see. Only then will Northern Kenya rise to its full potential.
Garad Saney is a prolific political writer, Director of Communication and Head of the Governor’s Press Unit, Wajir County. He holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in English and Literature from Kenyatta University.
