Deputy governors have initiated talks calling for the entrenchment of their role in the constitution to ensure their officers are properly funded to discharge their duties.

In a statement shared by the Parliament of Kenya on Monday, May 12, 2025, the deputy governors made the appeal during a meeting with the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations held in Nakuru County.

According to the lengthy statement shared on the Parliament of Kenya Facebook page, the meeting was convened on Friday, May 9, 2025, and deputies drawn from all the 47 devolved units decried that the law, as it is, does not expressly provide for their functions, thus crippling them at the county level.

The Deputy Governors’ Caucus, led by the Chairperson, Reuben Kamuri, implored the senators to amend Section 32 of the County Government Act to streamline and clearly define their roles.

Section 92 of the County Government Act states that the deputy governor shall deputise for the governor in executing the governor’s functions, and the governor may assign the deputy governor any other responsibility or portfolio as a county executive member.

The deputy governors, however, lamented that Section 92, as it is at the moment, does not clearly define their roles and thus asked the senators to consider re-evaluating it.

They made reference to the deputy president, arguing that he chairs the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC).

40 per cent

According to the Parliament of Kenya, the deputy governors also asked for 40 per cent of the county governor’s budget for the office of the deputy governor to ensure that they effectively and efficiently deputise their bosses.

“The deputy governors are more of personal assistants to the governors. We are not involved in the running of the counties,” Kamuri, the Deputy Governor for Laikipia County, decried.

Senators’ response

Without authoritatively agreeing with their demands, senators promised to look into some of the issues they raised.

Led by Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, the lawmakers directed the deputy governors to conduct proper research on the jurisdictions on the role, responsibilities, management, and budget allocation.

Onyonka noted that the research would help senators look into their demands.

“Research on what others have done and then propose a well-researched formula for budget allocation and funding for the deputy governor’s office,” Onyonka suggested.