Quick Answer
Devolution is the system, created by the 2010 Constitution, that moved political power, money and services from the national government down to 47 county governments — to bring decision-making closer to ordinary citizens.
Key facts
- Created by the 2010 Constitution; began at the March 2013 election.
- Kenya now has two levels of government: national and county.
- There are 47 county governments.
- Counties get at least 15% of national revenue to run devolved services.
What is devolution?
Devolution is the constitutional transfer of power, functions and resources from the national government to 47 county governments. Before 2010, most decisions and money were controlled centrally from Nairobi. The 2010 Constitution (Article 174) changed that, setting out devolution’s purpose:
- Bring government and services closer to the people.
- Share power and national resources more fairly across the country.
- Protect and promote the interests of marginalised communities.
- Give citizens a real say in how they are governed.
The two levels of government
Devolution created two distinct but interdependent levels of government, each with its own elected leaders and its own responsibilities:
- National government — handles country-wide matters: defence, foreign affairs, policing, the economy, national policy.
- County government — 47 counties, each delivering local services like health, water, county roads and agriculture.
The two levels are not senior and junior to each other; they are distinct, and meant to cooperate. Devolution became operational at the first election under the new Constitution, in March 2013.
How functions and money are shared
Two things were devolved: responsibilities and revenue.
- Functions are split by the Constitution’s Fourth Schedule — 14 functions go to counties, and broad policy and security functions stay national.
- Revenue follows the functions: counties receive at least 15% of nationally raised revenue each year so they can pay for the services they now run.
Each of these has its own detailed guide — see the related reading below.
Why this matters to you
Devolution decides who is responsible for the services around you. When a county road, a local dispensary or a water project succeeds or fails, it is usually your county government — not the national government — that is accountable. Knowing how the system works tells you which leader to hold responsible.
Frequently asked questions
When did devolution start in Kenya?
It was created by the 2010 Constitution and became operational at the first general election under it, in March 2013.
How many county governments are there?
47, each with an elected Governor and County Assembly.
Is the county government below the national government?
No. The two levels are distinct and interdependent, each with its own constitutional functions, not a senior-junior hierarchy.
Sources & references
- Constitution of Kenya 2010, Chapter Eleven (Devolved Government), Article 174 — klrc.go.ke
- State Department for Devolution — devolution.go.ke
- Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) — cra.go.ke