H.E President William Ruto officially launched the Devolution Conference 2025 at Homa Bay Highschool | Source: The Star Digital – www.the-star.co.ke
By Brian Ochieng Akoko | NAKURU, KENYA
The 9th Devolution Conference, a pivotal event in Kenya’s governance calendar, officially commenced today, August 13, 2025, in Homa Bay County with a strong message of renewed commitment from the highest office.
Presiding over the inauguration, His Excellency President William Ruto not only affirmed the national government’s dedication to the devolved system but also took tangible steps to bolster its financial and operational autonomy.
The President’s address set a decisive tone for the four-day forum, which is operating under the overarching theme, “For the People, For Prosperity: Devolution as a Catalyst for Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice.” President Ruto used his inaugural speech to deliver a clear and unequivocal pledge: to “accelerate full transfer of outstanding devolved functions with required resources.”
This commitment directly addresses a long-standing point of contention between the national and county governments, a structural gap that has often led to funding disputes and stalled service delivery.
The President stated that all 14 devolved functions have been “conclusively delineated, bundled and gazetted,” signaling an end to the ambiguities that have historically plagued intergovernmental relations.
His announcement was a powerful signal that the national government is ready to move beyond the foundational stage of devolution and into a new phase of accelerated implementation. In a move that underscored the seriousness of his pledge, President Ruto assented to two crucial pieces of legislation on the spot.
The County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2025, and the County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, were both signed into law, providing an immediate and tangible boost to the financial frameworks of the 47 county governments.
The assent to these bills is a practical demonstration of the administration’s resolve to empower counties with the necessary legal and financial tools to effectively perform their duties.
This swift action is designed to build confidence among county leaders and the public, proving that the rhetoric of devolution is being matched by legislative action.Beyond the financial and operational pledges, the President also took a firm stance against a persistent impediment to effective governance: corruption.
He declared unequivocally that there would be “no telephone calls to stop anybody from being prosecuted for matters corruption,” directly confronting a major public concern and signaling a no-nonsense approach to accountability at all levels of government.
This statement resonates deeply with the conference’s daily thematic focus on “Good Governance,” which seeks to rebuild public trust by fostering transparency, accountability, and citizen oversight.
Attendees of The Devolution Conference 2025 | Source: The Star Digital – https://www.the-star.co.ke
The conference, organized by the Council of Governors (CoG) in collaboration with various State and Non-State actors, is being held at Homa Bay High School. The choice of Homa Bay as the host county was lauded by President Ruto, who described it as a “county of endless potential and possibilities.”
The event has drawn a wide array of thought leaders, policymakers, development partners, and citizens, all gathered to engage in critical discussions on the future trajectory of devolution in Kenya.
Day one of the conference was meticulously planned around the theme of “Good Governance.” The morning plenary, titled “Empowered Communities, Accountable Counties: Rebuilding the Foundations of Good Governance,” was addressed by keynote speaker Amb.
Henriette Geiger, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Kenya. The sessions explored core tenets of good governance, including transparency, accountability, civic education, and the rule of law.
The discussions are a direct response to the frustration expressed by citizens regarding corruption and a perceived lack of accountability, aiming to find actionable strategies for fostering a more responsive and trustworthy relationship between governments and the public.
In a landmark initiative, President Ruto also officially unveiled the Council of Governors Devolution Institute (COG-DI). This new institute is poised to be the institutional vehicle for achieving the CoG’s strategic goals of promoting knowledge management, learning, and research in counties.
The establishment of the COG-DI signifies a maturing of the devolution process, shifting the focus from reactive problem-solving to a more proactive, structured approach to building long-term capabilities and professionalism within devolved units.
By providing a central hub for generating and disseminating best practices, the institute is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of county governance.
Governor Hon. Gladys Wanga delivers a speech during the official grand opening of the Devolution Conference | Source: The Star Digital – https://www.the-star.co.ke
Another significant launch on the opening day was the Model School Feeding Policy. This new policy provides a harmonized and scalable framework for counties to deliver school meals in Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centers.
The policy outlines ambitious goals, including a gradual increase in school feeding coverage from 24% to 50% by 2027 and an ultimate target of 100% coverage by 2032.
Furthermore, it incorporates a strategic economic component, advocating for decentralized procurement from smallholder farmers. This approach is designed to simultaneously address critical social welfare needs and stimulate local economies, exemplifying the “For Prosperity” aspect of the conference theme.
Bomet Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok was among the first to welcome the policy, underscoring its potential to provide a sustainable framework for providing nutritious meals to learners.
The official opening ceremony saw a host of prominent leaders in attendance, including the Host Governor Gladys Wanga, Council of Governors Chairperson Governor FCPA Ahmed Abdullahi, Senate Speaker Rt. Hon. Amason J. Kingi, and National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses M. Wetangula.
The presence of these high-ranking officials from both the executive and legislative branches of government highlights the conference’s significance as a national platform for collaborative dialogue.
The informal pre-conference activities, such as a football match between Bunge FC and the Council of Governors teams, were a unique form of “soft diplomacy” aimed at fostering camaraderie and easing potential intergovernmental tensions.
As the conference progresses, the focus will shift to two equally critical themes. Day two, Thursday, August 14th, is dedicated to “Human Rights and Social Justice,” with discussions on how county governments can act as frontline actors in upholding constitutional rights and addressing historical injustices.
The final day, Friday, August 15th, will focus on “Financing Equity and Inclusion,” examining the crucial role of subnational governments in promoting access to financial opportunities and addressing systemic economic inequalities. The culmination of these discussions will be the issuance of a joint communiqué, which is expected to outline actionable resolutions to be adopted by both state and non-state actors.
The Senate has committed to playing a leading role in translating these resolutions into concrete legislative and policy interventions, reinforcing its constitutional mandate to safeguard county governments.
The events of the opening day, marked by decisive presidential action and the launch of new, forward-looking initiatives, have set the stage for a conference that is not merely about dialogue, but about tangible, transformative change.
The journey of devolution in Kenya, as evidenced by the events in Homa Bay, appears to be entering a new, more mature phase, one where promises are met with immediate action and long-standing challenges are confronted head-on.
