Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma has faulted the growing friction between the national and county governments, warning that the rivalry is undermining the very spirit of devolution.

Speaking during a political talk show on a local television station on Monday, August 4, 2025, Mumma said that while Kenya’s devolved system was designed to foster collaboration, it has been reduced to a contest of power and dominance between the two levels of government.

“Our type of devolution is supposed to be cooperative and collaborative; the national government is meant to set policies and standards, while county governments implement them. But instead, we have turned it into a competition,” Mumma said.

Mumma reflected on the history of devolution conferences, noting that the inaugural event was boycotted by key national leaders, including the President at the time.

“I remember the first devolution conference, the Senate of the day and the national government of the day boycotted it. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta did not turn up despite being invited; only two senators attended,” she recalled.

She criticised the national government’s increasing tendency to sideline county governments in the delivery of public services. According to Mumma, this approach has fostered mistrust and defensive politics on both sides

“We’re now in a mode where the national government wants to prove it is the one delivering services, while county governments are constantly defending their corner because their functions are being taken,” she explained.

The Senator further took issue with the way conditional grants are handled, saying they are often disbursed with little consultation and outside the legal framework.

“Even when we do conditional grants, it’s done out of the law. It’s done out of a bully mentality instead of genuine conversation between the two levels of government that can deliver services better,” she said.

Mumma believes the ongoing turf wars have led to fragmentation in service delivery and distracted leaders from the true purpose of devolution — shared governance and citizen-focused development.

“Everyone is trying to focus on themselves instead of focusing on the collective entity of governance. That is where we are going wrong,” she said.

As Kenya prepares for the next phase of its devolution journey, Mumma is calling for renewed commitment to cooperation, mutual respect, and adherence to the principles that anchor the Constitution.