At this year’s Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, the stark reality of Kenya’s 13-year experiment with devolved governance was on full display and it wasn’t flattering for most counties. Out of 47, only five counties showcased genuine innovation. The rest offered little more than glossy posters, dusty brochures, and photos of leaders cutting ribbons.
But in the midst of this national embarrassment, Machakos County stood tall. Under the visionary leadership of Governor Wavinya Ndeti, Machakos refused to be part of the 43 counties with nothing tangible to display. Instead, the county brought forward impressive tech-driven solutions and agro-processing initiatives that spoke directly to the spirit and promise of devolution.
Governor Wavinya, recently ranked as Kenya’s second most performing governor, has made it clear that Machakos will not settle for mediocrity. The county’s stand at the conference demonstrated a forward-looking approach one that marries technology, value addition, and agricultural potential to create jobs and grow the local economy.
While other counties seemed trapped in the cycle of ribbon-cutting photo ops and reliance on the National Treasury, Machakos exemplified what it means to take local resources, add value, and build sustainable industries. From advanced agricultural processing to tech-enabled service delivery, the county showed that devolution can indeed work if leaders are willing to think beyond allowances and handouts.
Observers couldn’t help but contrast Machakos’ performance with the disappointing showing from resource-rich counties like Turkana ,Baringo, and Kisumu, which arrived at the conference with nothing beyond token displays. The difference, many noted, is leadership and strategic vision.
Governor Wavinya’s success proves that counties can harness their comparative advantage and create real economic impact. Her administration’s initiatives are not just conference exhibits they are living projects with the potential to transform livelihoods.
In a year when devolution’s “empty showroom” was laid bare for all to see, Machakos provided a rare spark of hope. If more counties followed Machakos’ lead, the next Devolution Conference could truly become a showcase of Kenyan ingenuity, not a gallery of missed opportunities. The five counties which displayed impressive devolution initiatives include Meru, Machakos Kakamega, Makueni and Mombasa (university students innovation)
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