HISTORY OF DEVOLUTION
HISTORY OF DEVOLUTION.
Devolution in Kenya dates back in the day, all through to the constitution 2010. This chapter will explain in details devolution as it was and as it is today. Kenya as a country has undergone a series of changes in devolution up to this day of the constitution 2010
2.1. THE MAJIMBO
The highly centralized bureaucracy which Kenya inherited at independence from the colonial administration had chiefly been sustained through the installation of the Provincial Administration. The administration was established to facilitate direct rule and govern alongside the civil service.1 The Provincial Administration had three major functions in the colonial era namely the control, coordination and mobilization of the public for development. In the exercise of al three functions it acted in an executive capacity as the agent of the governor. It thus ensured the governor had direct communication with and control over the districts.2 The colonial government used the administration to undermine the quest by African political leaders to consolidate nationalist movement and immediately after independence they sought to diminish its powers.
The nationalist movement was in itself characterized by internal tensions. These arose due to the fear of smaller tribes being dominated by larger tribes. Eventually two main rival parties emerged, the Kenya African National Union (KANU) and the Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU). KANU comprised of the larger kikuyu and luo ethnic groups while smaller groups from Rift Valley, Coast, and North Eastern went to KADU.3 The fears and tensions persuaded the minority-based KADU to demand division of power that would leave an African majority government less omnipotent than its colonial predecessor.4
As a result, Majimbo was born. The nature of Majimbo or regionalism was a political system which power was devolved to semi-autonomous regional units. The units were presided over by weak governments which in practical terms resembled
Devolution in Kenya dates back in the day, all through to the constitution 2010. This chapter will explain in details devolution as it was and as it is today. Kenya as a country has undergone a series of changes in devolution up to this day of the constitution 2010
2.1. THE MAJIMBO
The highly centralized bureaucracy which Kenya inherited at independence from the colonial administration had chiefly been sustained through the installation of the Provincial Administration. The administration was established to facilitate direct rule and govern alongside the civil service.1 The Provincial Administration had three major functions in the colonial era namely the control, coordination and mobilization of the public for development. In the exercise of al three functions it acted in an executive capacity as the agent of the governor. It thus ensured the governor had direct communication with and control over the districts.2 The colonial government used the administration to undermine the quest by African political leaders to consolidate nationalist movement and immediately after independence they sought to diminish its powers.
The nationalist movement was in itself characterized by internal tensions. These arose due to the fear of smaller tribes being dominated by larger tribes. Eventually two main rival parties emerged, the Kenya African National Union (KANU) and the Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU). KANU comprised of the larger kikuyu and luo ethnic groups while smaller groups from Rift Valley, Coast, and North Eastern went to KADU.3 The fears and tensions persuaded the minority-based KADU to demand division of power that would leave an African majority government less omnipotent than its colonial predecessor.4
As a result, Majimbo was born. The nature of Majimbo or regionalism was a political system which power was devolved to semi-autonomous regional units. The units were presided over by weak governments which in practical terms resembled