Political commentator and constitutional lawyer Willis Evans Otieno has blamed leadership failures for the persistent hardships in Kenya’s Northern Frontier counties, saying devolution funds meant to improve living conditions have been mismanaged for more than a decade.

His remarks came amid the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, held under the theme “For the People, For Prosperity: Devolution as a Catalyst for Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice.”

Otieno used his social media platform to highlight the plight of communities in the North, saying billions of shillings allocated through devolution over 12 years have failed to improve access to clean water, education, and food security.

“For 12 years of devolution, billions have flowed to the Northern Frontier counties, yet the people still drink dirty water, study under trees, and die of hunger. Don’t blame Nairobi, and don’t blame history; blame your own leaders. They turned devolution into personal bank accounts, building mansions in Nairobi while their people walk barefoot in the dust. The suffering in the North is not a curse; it is leadership theft,” Otieno stated on his X dated August 23, 2025.

Devolution funds under scrutiny

The Northern Frontier counties have received significant resources since 2013, yet visible development remains minimal, raising concerns about governance and accountability.

Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index scored Kenya 32 out of 100, signalling widespread corruption. Otieno argued that while devolution was designed to decentralise power and reduce regional disparities, poor leadership has undermined its objectives.

“Devolution is Kenya’s most significant governance experiment since independence. It has shown that development can be more responsive, that citizens can have a stronger voice, and that local leadership matters profoundly. But it has also shown that institutions alone cannot deliver justice—only the consistent practice of accountable leadership can,” he added earlier.

Transformative leadership

Otieno’s critique aligns with the broader conference agenda on transparency, public participation, and effective service delivery. By pointing to leadership failure rather than historical marginalisation, he urged county officials to prioritise community welfare over personal enrichment.

The conference in Homa Bay, a county once considered peripheral, underscores the national focus on strengthening governance and ensuring that devolution fulfils its promise of equity, inclusion, and social justice. Otieno’s remarks highlight the urgent need for transformative leadership if the Northern Frontier counties are to overcome decades of neglect and hardship.