Devolution under threat, says Governor Ndeti

Governor Wavinya Ndeti speaking during the University Dons Forum hosted by Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka at his home in Yatta, Machakos county, on September 5, 2025.

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of undermining devolution, warning that governors are being forced into decisions that go against the wishes of their people.

Speaking during the University Dons Forum hosted by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka at his Yatta home on Friday, Ndeti said the national government must create an enabling environment for counties to serve the public effectively.

“Devolution is under threat,” she said.

“The two levels of government are distinct. As governors, we lead our counties. It’s wrong for someone to say they will do whatever they want whether we like it or not.”

The event brought together dons from 22 public universities and 30 student leaders from across the country.

Ndeti called for dialogue and consultations between the national and county governments, insisting that cooperation was essential for good governance and sustainable development.

“People should talk and agree. You can’t force things down people’s throats, not even your own children. You need to negotiate with them and talk to them, not at them, and you need to agree,” she said.

The governor expressed frustrations shared within the Council of Governors, saying county leaders feel unfairly targeted.

“They talk of corruption as if it only exists in counties. Governors are being pursued for corruption while the national government, which takes 85 percent of the budget, escapes scrutiny. We only get 15 percent, which has to be shared among 47 counties,” she argued.

Ndeti also criticized the Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system recently rolled out by the Kenya Kwanza administration, describing it as ineffective.

The eGP system, backed by Sh700 million in the 2025/2026 budget, is designed to streamline procurement by shifting tendering and supplier registration online.

The government expects all public entities, including counties, to be onboard by July 2025, with a target of digitizing 80 percent of services.

But Ndeti insisted the system is flawed.

“We are told to wake up and shift to the new system, but it doesn’t work. It was tested in Makueni and other counties, and it failed. The government should have tested it properly before rolling it out,” she said.

She further faulted the national government for retaining functions that are already devolved, such as agriculture and markets, instead of releasing them fully with the necessary funds.

“Agriculture is devolved, so why should fertilizers be bought by the national government? Markets are devolved, so why should they be constructed by the national government? At the end of the day, they still come to us to show them where to build these markets,” she said.

Ndeti stressed that devolution can only succeed if counties are respected as equal partners in governance.