Former Mukurweini MP Kabando Wa Kabando has accused President William Ruto of undermining devolution and weakening the role of counties and the Senate, warning that the shift could reverse gains made under the 2010 Constitution.

In a statement shared on X on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Kabando said the country risks losing the spirit of shared governance if power continues to move back to the national government. He raised concerns about the future of county resources, representation, and decision-making, saying the debate is not political but about protecting citizens at the grassroots.

Kabando argued that the 2010 Constitution intentionally placed devolution at the heart of governance to stop counties from being sidelined in national decision-making.

“The Constitution of Kenya (2010) placed devolution at the centre of governance so that counties are not alienated in Kenya’s decision-making,” part of Kabando Wa Kabando’s statement reads

He warned that weakening devolution would not only affect funding but also silence counties and strip residents of their dignity and representation.

“If devolution is threatened, counties lose not just resources but also their voices and dignity,” his statement reads.

Kabando Wa Kabando also defended the Senate’s constitutional role, insisting it must stand firm in protecting counties instead of supporting national government excesses.

“Senate exists to protect county interests, not to rubber-stamp excesses from the centre,” Kabando Wa Kabando wrote.

Devolution is the closest power to ordinary citizens

He further stated that devolution was meant to move power closer to ordinary citizens and ensure services and decisions are not controlled from Nairobi.

“Devolution brings power closer to the people, but Ruto is taking controls back to Nairobi, thus making State House a theatre of absurdities,” he wrote.

Kabando Wa Kabando continued by cautioning that pressure on counties must be resisted to safeguard local governance and the gains made over the years.

Kabando Wa Kabando went on to remind leaders and citizens that the 2010 Constitution was designed to distribute power fairly and reflect Kenya’s diversity across regions and communities.

“CoK2010 decentralised power to benefit all of Kenya’s diversity. Suffocating counties must be resisted,” Kabando Wa Kabando wrote.