Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has called on Kenyans to continue supporting county governments to realize the goals of equity, inclusion, and social justice, highlighting Kirinyaga County as a leading example of successful devolution.

Speaking at the ongoing Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, Waiguru acknowledged that counties have made significant strides in transforming rural areas that were previously marginalized, despite facing challenges such as inadequate resources and delayed disbursement of funds.

“The future of Kenya lies in devolving resources to the counties,” Waiguru said. “Counties have demonstrated that they can manage devolved functions effectively, but they need the continued support of all Kenyans to achieve equitable development across the country.”

The governor also addressed the issue of corruption, describing it as a deep-rooted societal problem that spans both national and county governments, learning institutions, the private sector, religious organizations, and the wider society. “This is not a problem you can just point in one direction. It is a societal challenge that must be addressed as a whole,” she said, urging collective action to eradicate the vice.

Waiguru used the platform to showcase Kirinyaga County’s achievements under devolution, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, and community empowerment. She noted that Kirinyaga remains the country’s top rice producer and has made significant progress in dairy production, with cooperatives now processing, packaging, and improving brands to boost farmers’ incomes.

“In agriculture, we have increased production through inputs and technical support, while enhancing value addition for products like rice and milk. These gains are on display at our pavilion for all to see,” the governor said.

She further highlighted the county’s efforts to strengthen healthcare services, building a vibrant and healthy community capable of contributing to socio-economic growth. Waiguru emphasized the need for the complete transfer of remaining devolved functions, noting that counties have proven their capacity to manage these responsibilities.

“Counties have shown they can perform these functions, and we have been engaging in peer learning to share best practices at the grassroots. However, some functions remain partially transferred due to unclear frameworks or reluctance by national institutions,” she explained.

As delegates reflected on the conference theme, devolution as a catalyst for equity, inclusion, and social justice, Kirinyaga County’s pavilion, which impressed President William Ruto, stood out as a model of devolution in action: leveraging agricultural strength, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring that no one is left behind in its development journey.