Siaya Governor James Orengo has spoken out on the necessary reforms needed to realise the devolution promise in Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.

Speaking on Wednesday, October 10, 2025, Orengo emphasised fidelity to the constitution and decisive action as key to releasing the benefits espoused in the guiding document.

The legal bigwig observed that interference from the central government and a lack of commitment to the founding document were among the key bottlenecks.

Also watch: Ruto says devolution has been transformative.

Challenges

“We have not necessarily tried to change the constitution as far as devolution is concerned, but how we ran that space is opposite. It shows we would rather not have had devolution. The problem is when you have a start and start with people who don’t believe in you, you will run into problems,” he stated.

“Countries like the USA have shown that a great constitution needs reformers who believe in certain principles, and government ethos is crucial. In Kenya, we need to do what the constitution wants.  I hope and trust we don’t change the spirit of the chapter dealing with the constitution, and we have it remain our guide,” he added.

Streamlining counties’ access to resources

He cited the need for intervention in streamlining how counties access resources, warning that promoting equitable resource distribution remains undermined by persistent national bottlenecks.

“Issues like making counties get resources without hurdles, the way it’s being handled, and devolution cannot go stronger; it would go through turbulence, and it may not achieve much in the spirit of the constitution we have,” he stated.

Also watch: Raila Odinga’s remarks on devolution.

He noted, however, the existence of small progress, citing an increasingly enlightened mass and the youth as crucial in the country’s shift to full compliance with constitutional requirements on devolution.

“In Kenya, we need to do what the constitution dictates. In countries like India and Switzerland, we see a strong constitution. There is progress as long as we have a reference point with the constitution,” he said.

“I am encouraged by the level of political conciousness in the county. People read more, whether it is on social media or in books. And such a spirit is key; as long as we have people speaking on it, it is great,” he stressed.