Orange Democratic Movement Party leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, August 14, 2025, used the second day of the Devolution Conference to push for far-reaching changes in how Kenya’s devolved system operates.
Speaking in Homa Bay, Raila proposed that all funds currently managed under the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) be transferred to county governments.
He argued that the existence of these funds is no longer in line with the country’s current governance framework.
“In the interest of efficiency and better service delivery, all monies currently managed by the NG-CDF and NGAAF should be surrendered to counties,” Raila said.
ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga during a past function. Photo: Raila Odinga Source: X
“Everything Kenyans have done to reestablish good governance has made the CDF system obsolete. It is serving no role in the new constitutional architecture.”
The opposition leader also called for a major shift in the management of education. He said the government should devolve the running of schools, including secondary education, to counties.
According to him, it is impractical and inefficient for the Ministry of Education to manage school affairs from Nairobi.
“We must now break the cycle of managing our schools from far away,” Raila stated. “It is a shame to see a Minister of Education inspecting school structures or construction in counties because that should be done by the governors.”
Additionally, Raila pushed for reforms in how governors are treated after leaving office. He noted that Members of Parliament who serve two terms automatically qualify for pensions, and the same should apply to governors.
“Governors serve the counties, and they can serve two terms,” he said. “Why can we not do the same thing to the governors? A governor who has served two terms needs to be entitled automatically to a pension. This is a recommendation that should come from Homa Bay, and MPs should seize this matter and go and move an amendment in Parliament.”
The Devolution Conference 2025, which brings together leaders from across the country, is focusing on strengthening county governments and improving service delivery.
