Residents oppose plan to scrap 6 regional development authorities

Residents from 10 counties have voiced their opposition to a proposed law that seeks to abolish six regional development authorities. In public forums held in Isiolo and Narok counties, community members urged the government to retain and enhance these institutions through internal restructuring and increased funding, emphasizing their crucial role in improving livelihoods. The proposed legislation, the Regional Development Authorities Laws Repeal Bill, 2026, was introduced by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah.

During the Isiolo forum, residents from the Ewaso Nyiro North Development Authority’s service area expressed concerns to the National Assembly Committee on Regional Development. Jillo Buke, a resident of Isiolo, stressed that the authority is vital for supporting communities in the region, warning that its abolition would jeopardize residents' welfare due to insufficient funding to tackle regional disparities.

Buke noted that while the authorities receive 75 billion for equalization, this amount still falls short of addressing the disparities.

Similarly, residents from Kajiado, Narok, Nakuru, and Nyandarua counties raised their concerns at a forum held at Maasai Mara University, voicing their opposition to the abolition of the Ewaso Nyiro South Development Authority. They highlighted the authority’s provision of clean water and job creation as key benefits and pleaded with lawmakers to consider the impact on communities that rely on its projects.

The bill aims to abolish these six regional development authorities and transfer their assets and liabilities to the National Treasury, with the intention of eliminating overlapping functions between the national and county governments.

However, the residents who participated in the public forums argued that instead of abolishing the institutions, they should be restructured and adequately funded. They highlighted the authorities' contributions to development in underserved areas, emphasizing that the proposed changes could adversely affect marginalized communities. The public participation process is expected to guide lawmakers as they deliberate on the proposed modifications to the regional development authorities framework.