Regional Development Committee Engages IGRTTC on Unbuilding of RDAS' Functions

The Departmental Committee on Regional Development, chaired by Hon. Peter Lochakapong, held a crucial engagement with the Chief Executive Officer of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) Dr. Kipkurui Chepkwony to deliberate on the ongoing process of unbundling the functions of the Regional Development Authorities (RDAs).

The meeting, held at Bung tower, marked a significant step in the government's broader agenda to deepen devolution and streamline service delivery across counties.

At the center of discussions was the implementation of the 10th Presidential Directive issued jointly to the National and County Governments, which called for a comprehensive unbundling and transfer of RDA functions to ensure they are aligned with the constitutional roles of the two levels of government.

This process is intended to eliminate duplication, improve coordination, and enhance development outcomes in all regions.

The Committee was briefed on the outcome of the National and County Government Coordination Summit held on 18th December 2023, which according to the brief, set the stage for this transformative agenda.

That meeting was followed by a Cabinet resolution on 7th March 2024, which approved the restructuring of RDAs and the formation of a two-tier working committee tasked with overseeing the transition process.

The Committee is responsible for handling a wide range of transitional issues, including the transfer of ongoing projects and assets, liquidation of liabilities, management of human resources and contracts, proper handling of institutional records, resolution of legal disputes, drafting legislative proposals, and developing an actionable implementation roadmap.

The IGRTC CEO provided the Committee with a detailed report on the status of the unbundling process, highlighting key milestones achieved and outstanding challenges.

Among the issues raised were the need for an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism to handle disputes that may arise during the transition, the importance of involving the public in all decision-making processes, and the need to assess the preparedness of county governments to assume the new responsibilities.

Hon. Lochakapong noted that the transition must be managed carefully to avoid service disruption and to ensure value is added at every level of the governance structure.

"This process is not merely administrative; it has a direct impact on development and service delivery to the people. We must ensure that counties have the capacity to take over these functions and that no community is left behind," he stated.

Another key area of concern was the estimated Ksh.235 million required to facilitate the unbundling process.

Committee expressed concern over the availability and management of these resources, calling for transparency and prioritization to ensure a smooth transition.

Members also underscored the importance of phased implementation to allow sufficient time for institutional and human resource alignment.

The Committee also engaged extensively on the issue of stalled projects and the duplication of functions across different agencies. In particular, members sought clarity on how the IGRTC intends to handle transboundary projects developments that span more than one county and thus require collaborative frameworks.

The IGRTC CEO Dr. Kipkurui Chepkwony acknowledged these concerns and reiterated the need for enhanced inter-agency collaboration, especially in planning and execution stages.

“The unbundling process is an opportunity to not only clarify roles but also to re-engineer how we manage regional development. Our goal is to reduce redundancy, maximize impact, and improve efficiency,” said the CEO.

Committee members welcomed the comprehensive approach proposed by the IGRTC, especially the inclusion of legal and policy frameworks to guide the transition.

They emphasized the need for sustained dialogue between national and county governments, supported by strong oversight and continuous monitoring from Parliament.

In conclusion, Hon. Lochakapong assured stakeholders of the committee’s commitment to ensuring that the transition is people-centered, inclusive, and aligned with the vision of a devolved Kenya.

He commended the IGRTC for the progress made so far and reaffirmed Parliament’s role in supporting legislative and policy frameworks that will secure a seamless handover of RDA functions.

As Kenya continues to strengthen its devolved governance system, Tuesday’s meeting underscored the critical importance of structured transition processes, institutional cooperation, and sustained political goodwill in achieving development goals that resonate with citizens at the grassroots.