Makueni senator Dan Maanzo during a past event. PHOTO/@DanielMaanzo/X 

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has raised concerns over the national government’s handling of county resources, warning that continued delays and withholding of funds threaten the autonomy of devolved units.

Speaking on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, during an interview on a local TV station, the senator said that despite constitutional provisions empowering county governments, several counties are still struggling to fully exercise their mandates due to insufficient funding. 

“Because 15 years later, with the Constitution empowering each level of governance, things are still being done as if we are under a central government,” Maanzo said.

“Counties are supposed to manage their own health, agriculture, and water services, but without the necessary resources, they cannot fulfil these duties.” 

Devolution under strain

Maanzo highlighted that full devolution in sectors like health, agriculture, and water could significantly increase funding and efficiency at the county level.

He pointed to examples such as fertiliser distribution and vaccination drives, which are still managed centrally by the national government, sidelining county officials and staff.

“If you devolve these fully, then counties would have the capacity to serve their people better,” he noted.

The senator also criticised the uneven implementation of national programs across counties, citing instances where some regions were left out of key services like immunisation campaigns.

“Not every county was covered. Some were abandoned,” he said, describing the lack of coordination as detrimental to local governance.

Maanzo urged the national government to respect the spirit of devolution and ensure that counties receive the resources and authority necessary to operate independently.

He warned that failure to act could erode public trust in devolved units and undermine the progress achieved since the Constitution was enacted.

His statement comes months after the Council of Governors expressed strong concerns over delayed transfers, with Ksh 74 billion still pending, which continue to disrupt essential county services. The council called on the National Treasury to expedite the release of funds. By William Muthama, K24