At Equality Edge Organization, our mission is to foster transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance that empowers communities and drives sustainable development. Kakamega County, Kenya, offers a compelling case study in the pursuit of good governance, with notable strides and persistent challenges that demand collective action. As of June 2025, the county showcases both inspiring achievements and critical areas for improvement, as we outline below.
Achievements in Kakamega’s Governance Landscape
Kakamega County has made significant progress in advancing good governance, earning recognition and implementing impactful initiatives:
i) National Recognition for Leadership: In 2024, Kakamega County was honored at the Champions of Governance Award in Nairobi for its exemplary leadership under Governor Fernandes Barasa and County Assembly Speaker James Namatsi. This accolade underscores Kakamega county’s commitment to effective governance and development, reflecting collaborative efforts between the County Executive and Assembly.
ii) Commitment to Open Governance: Kakamega’s inclusion in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in 2024 marks a pivotal step toward transparency and accountability. The county’s 2024-2027 OGP Action Plan prioritizes public participation, access to information, transparency, and climate action, aligning with global standards for inclusive governance.
iii) Community-Centered Development: Governor Barasa’s administration has rolled out transformative projects, including the Governor’s Cup tournament, youth and women empowerment through beekeeping, the solar-powered Samitsi Market Water project, and the commissioning of a maternity wing at Lumakanda Level-4 Hospital. These initiatives contributed to Kakamega’s top ranking in a 2023 Politrack poll, scoring 70.6% for performance.
iv) Anti-Corruption Progress: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) recently recovered six illegally grabbed government properties in Kakamega, including the Deputy County Commissioner’s residence. This demonstrates a commitment to tackling corruption and safeguarding public resources.
v) Legislative Engagement: The County Assembly has prioritized public participation by adopting motions to hold sittings in sub-counties, ensuring broader representation and accountability in resource allocation.
These achievements reflect Kakamega’s potential to serve as a model for good governance in Kenya, but challenges remain that require urgent attention.
Challenges Hindering Good Governance
Despite its progress, Kakamega County faces significant governance hurdles that undermine public trust and service delivery:
i) Allegations of Corruption: Reports of deep-rooted corruption, including a whistleblower letter in July 2025, have raised concerns about mismanagement, unpaid salaries for county employees, and allegations of nepotism. Public sentiments on platforms like X have criticized the county for operating like a “family enterprise,” pointing to governance lapses that erode accountability.
ii) Declining Service Delivery: Residents have voiced frustration over deteriorating infrastructure, such as the non-functional Kakamega Airstrip, a neglected Bukhungu Stadium, impassable roads, and poor conditions at Kakamega Referral Hospital. These issues highlight gaps in service delivery that contrast with the county’s development achievements.
iii) Public Discontent and Protests: In July 2025, Kakamega Town residents protested against corruption, extrajudicial killings, and abductions, signaling widespread dissatisfaction with governance at both county and national levels. Such unrest underscores the need for greater transparency and responsiveness.
iv) Resource Allocation Disparities: A 2025 statement by Lurambi MP Titus Khamala highlighted inequitable budget allocations, with Kakamega receiving only KSh 700 million for roads in the 2023/24 fiscal year compared to KSh 4 billion for Murang’a County. This disparity fuels perceptions of unfairness and hampers development efforts.
v)Systemic Socio-Economic Issues: Persistent challenges like poverty, small land holdings, low education standards, and emigration of productive populations continue to strain governance efforts, requiring long-term policy interventions.
Our Call to Action
At Equality Edge Organization, we believe that good governance is a shared responsibility. To build on Kakamega’s achievements and address its challenges, we propose the following actions for stakeholders: i) Strengthen Anti-Corruption Measures: Support the EACC’s efforts by advocating for transparent investigations and prosecutions of corrupt officials. Community-led oversight mechanisms can further ensure accountability.
ii) Enhance Public Participation: Leverage Kakamega’s OGP membership to expand platforms for citizen engagement, ensuring that marginalized groups, including youth and women, have a voice in decision-making.
iii) Improve Service Delivery: Urge the county government to prioritize infrastructure upgrades, healthcare improvements, and equitable resource allocation to address public grievances and restore trust.
iv) Promote Transparency: Encourage the county to publish regular, accessible reports on budget utilization, project progress, and anti-corruption efforts to foster trust and accountability.
v) Build Capacity for Governance: Partner with Equality Edge Organization to provide training for county officials and community leaders on best practices in governance, transparency, and public participation.
Join Us in Shaping Kakamega’s Future!
Kakamega County stands at a crossroads, with the potential to become a beacon of good governance in Kenya. By celebrating its achievements and confronting its challenges, we can work together to create a more transparent, accountable, and inclusive county. Equality Edge Organization is committed to partnering with residents, county officials, and stakeholders to drive this transformation. Get involved today! Visit https://www.equalityedge.org/ to learn more about our programs, join our advocacy campaigns, or support our efforts to promote good governance in Kakamega and beyond. Together, we can build a future where every voice is heard, and every resource serves the public good. For more information on Kakamega County’s governance initiatives, visit https://kakamega.go.ke or explore the Open Government Partnership at https://www.opengovpartnership.org.
Written by;
BoredPanda5330
