Chief Whip Osoro Criticizes State of Devolution, Cites Imbalance in Oversight Mechanisms

 National Assembly Majority Whip Hon. Sylvanus Osoro has strongly criticized the implementation of devolution across the country, describing it as fundamentally flawed and far removed from its original vision.

Speaking during a public engagement on governance and accountability, Hon. Osoro questioned the effectiveness of county governments, arguing that the promise of devolution has largely failed to materialize on the ground.

"People like Hon. Raila Odinga, who were champions of devolution, must have had a plan—an idea of what devolution ought to have been. But kwa ground, vitu ni different," Osoro said, using a popular Swahili phrase to underscore the disparity between policy and reality.

According to the South Mugirango MP, devolution in its current form is not delivering services or development as intended. He painted a grim picture of county operations, alleging widespread dysfunction and lack of accountability.

“There is nothing that is working on the ground as far as devolution is concerned,” Osoro said. “A governor that controls KSh 13 billion cannot be oversighted by an MCA who wants KSh 80,000 and then they give them KSh 3,000 every day!”

His comments point to a deeper concern about the balance of power and resources between county executives and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), who are constitutionally mandated to provide oversight.

Observers say Osoro’s remarks reflect growing frustrations in some quarters of the national government and among citizens about the effectiveness of county governments, amid persistent concerns over corruption, mismanagement, and lack of transparency in the use of devolved funds.

Despite the criticism, proponents of devolution argue that the system has brought government closer to the people and improved access to health services, infrastructure, and local economic development—though challenges remain.