Kenya, Aug. 28 -- On August 27, 2025, during Katiba Day celebrations in Nairobi, former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga proposed a three-tier governance system to overhaul Kenya's devolution structure. He argued that the current 47 counties are unsustainable due to resource strains, advocating for regional oversight to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Comparing Kenya's system to those in the US, Nigeria, and South Africa, Odinga's three-tier governance proposal has ignited a heated debate, with social media platforms buzzing over potential county mergers and accusations of inconsistency levelled against him.
Speaking at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Odinga emphasised that Kenya's 47 counties, while a cornerstone of the 2010 Constitution, face challenges in delivering sustainable development.
He suggested that a three-tier governance system, comprising national, regional, and county levels, would streamline resource allocation and address inefficiencies.
Drawing comparisons with the US, which has 50 states, Nigeria, with 36 states plus Abuja, and South Africa with nine provinces, Odinga argued that Kenya's population and size do not justify such a high number of devolved units.
His vision includes regional oversight to coordinate development, reduce duplication, and ensure equitable growth across regions. The proposal builds on Odinga's long-standing advocacy for devolution reform, revisiting ideas from the 2004 Bomas draft, which suggested 14 regional blocs.
He clarified that the three-tier system would not eliminate counties but introduce an intermediate layer to enhance coordination. This approach, he argued, would align Kenya with global best practices, balancing local autonomy with centralised efficiency.
However, the idea has faced pushback, with critics citing the risk of bloating an already costly government structure. Supporters, meanwhile, see it as a bold step toward sustainable devolution, addressing issues like high recurrent expenditures that strain county budgets.
Social media reactions have been polarised, with some users praising Odinga's forward-thinking approach to three-tier governance, while others question his consistency, pointing to his earlier support for the current devolution model.
Posts on X highlight concerns about county mergers, with fears that smaller counties could lose their autonomy. Others accuse Odinga of using the proposal for political leverage, reigniting debates about his influence in Kenyan politics.
The Katiba Day speech has thus sparked a broader conversation about the future of devolution and the feasibility of regional oversight in a resource-constrained environment.
The three-tier governance proposal also raises questions about implementation. Creating regional oversight bodies would require constitutional amendments, likely through a referendum, which Odinga has championed.
Critics argue this could divert attention from pressing issues like corruption and healthcare, while supporters believe it could unlock economic potential by fostering regional collaboration.
The comparison to Nigeria and South Africa underscores the need for a system tailored to Kenya's unique demographic and geographic context, avoiding the pitfalls of over-fragmentation.
As Kenya reflects on 15 years of the 2010 Constitution, Odinga's three-tier governance proposal has thrust devolution reform into the spotlight. The call for regional oversight challenges the status quo, prompting leaders and citizens to weigh the benefits of efficiency against the risks of added bureaucracy.
Social media continues to amplify the debate with users dissecting the implications of county mergers and regional coordination. Whether this vision gains traction will depend on public support and political will in the lead-up to a potential referendum.
In conclusion, Raila Odinga's three-tier governance proposal, unveiled during Katiba Day 2025, offers a bold vision for Kenya's devolution future. By advocating for regional oversight, he aims to address the inefficiencies of the 47-county system while preserving local autonomy.
The comparison to systems in Nigeria and South Africa highlights the potential for a more streamlined governance model. However, the proposal's success hinges on navigating social media-driven doubts, accusations of inconsistency, and the complex politics of county mergers, making it a pivotal moment for Kenya's governance evolution.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.