Four popular myths on how devolution works

Myth 1: With devolution, central coordination is no longer needed. Some Kenyans claim that the central government should leave the counties to run their own affairs. The paradox is that, in fact, devolution requires sustained central coordination to be effective.

Myth 2: Devolution will result in additional resources and services at the local level. There is a perception that the new counties will receive new funding and enjoy a wide latitude on spending.

Indeed, devolution involves shifting responsibilities and resources to the sub-national level, but the starting point is the existing levels of public spending.

Counties will receive significant public funding but also the responsibility for funding existing services: if they decide to shift resources to new uses, they will need to make cuts in other services that are currently provided.

Myth 3: Devolution will address inequity across and within counties.

Some counties will start at a relative disadvantage and it will take time to build up their capacity and ability to run well. The paradox is that the counties which stand to benefit the most from devolution because they were neglected under the old Constitution will be the least equipped in reality to use resources efficiently and retain the skilled staff that is crucial in service delivery.

This means that drastic redistribution will not occur overnight — it will be phased.

Myth 4: Devolution will result in accountability. Countries around the world implementing decentralisation have repeatedly found themselves struggling with increased corruption, elite capture, and poor service delivery.

Kenya’s own experience with decentralised service delivery has repeatedly highlighted the challenges when transparency and accountability systems are weak. Building a culture of accountability into the fabric of the new devolved county governments will require early and sustained effort.

(Source World Bank: Special Focus: Kenya’s Momentous Devolution)