6th Legislative Summit Highlights Gains in Devolution, Push for Stronger County Assemblies

Leaders from across Kenya have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening devolution during the 6th Legislative Summit held in Mombasa, with calls for enhanced capacity, autonomy, and accountability among County Assemblies.

The five-day summit, running from April 13–17, 2026, brought together Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), Senators, Governors, and development partners under the theme “Resilient County Assemblies: Reinforcing Representation, Legislation and Oversight.”

Presiding over the event, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi lauded County Assemblies for their critical role in promoting transparency and ensuring the success of devolution as envisioned in the Constitution.

“When institutions function well, governance improves, leading to credible oversight that builds people’s confidence in devolution,” Mudavadi said, urging participants to focus on impactful outcomes that directly benefit citizens.

He highlighted ongoing efforts by his office to address key issues raised during the Annual General Meeting held on February 19 at Kenyatta International Convention Centre. Among the priorities is the review of remuneration for MCAs to better reflect their constitutional responsibilities. He noted that the relevant Bill is currently being fast-tracked at the National Assembly of Kenya, with the County Assemblies Forum (CAF) already invited to submit its views.

Mudavadi also emphasized the need for timely remittance of pension contributions, warning that delays could undermine the sustainability of the scheme. He further revealed progress in fast-tracking the Intergovernmental Relations Bill, 2024, which seeks to anchor CAF in law. The Bill has already been passed by the Senate of Kenya and is currently under consideration by the National Assembly.

On financial autonomy, the Prime Cabinet Secretary disclosed that his office had engaged the Controller of Budget, which has since issued guidelines governing withdrawals from the County Assembly Fund. He added that the office is actively monitoring the operationalization of the fund to ensure accountability and efficiency.

Speaking on behalf of the Senate Speaker, Chief Whip and Bungoma Senator David Wakoli—representing Amason Jeffa Kingi—said devolution was already delivering tangible benefits to citizens. He urged County Assemblies to remain steadfast in their oversight role to promote prudent financial management.

“County Assemblies and the Senate play distinct and complementary legislative roles that enhance transparency in governance,” Wakoli said, while also pointing to gaps in legislation governing impeachment processes at the county level. He called for reforms to strengthen legal frameworks and address procedural weaknesses exposed by recent experiences.

The summit also addressed concerns over pension management. Hosea Kili, Group Managing Director of the County Pension Fund, revealed that counties owe pension service providers up to Ksh. 80 billion due to non-remittance of statutory deductions for MCAs and staff. He, however, noted that gratuity payments remain tax-free, ensuring beneficiaries receive full entitlements.

Chairperson of CAF and Speaker of Kwale County Assembly Seth Kamanza called for a bold review of the role of County Assemblies in deepening devolution. He highlighted progress in key areas, including pension schemes, the proposed Ward Development Fund, and legislative efforts to anchor CAF in law and eliminate surcharges on member subscriptions.

Kamanza further revealed that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission has committed to reviewing and grading MCA salaries, with a circular expected by the end of April ahead of implementation in July 2026. He added that the Bill is currently at its second reading stage in Parliament.

He also welcomed recent steps toward financial independence for County Assemblies, including the opening of accounts at the Central Bank of Kenya to facilitate direct access to funds.

Kwale Deputy Governor Josephat Chirema Kombo echoed the need for inclusive reforms, urging the national government to prioritize strengthening County Assemblies as a foundation for effective governance.

“We cannot fix the top while leaving out the bottom. Let the national government focus on strengthening County Assemblies so we can have better laws,” he said.

As the summit concluded, leaders reiterated the importance of building resilient institutions, enhancing public trust, and ensuring effective legislation, representation, and oversight. Participants also emphasized the need for continued collaboration as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election, with a shared commitment to advancing the gains of devolution.