The inaugural Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the Joint Devolution Programme (JDP 2.0)
The inaugural Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the Joint Devolution Programme (JDP 2.0) was held today under the leadership of PS Michael Loikenu Lenasalon. The programme is implemented by the Government of Kenya through the State Department for Devolution, in partnership with United Nations Development Programme - UNDP.
PS Lenasalon commended the strong collaboration between the The National Treasury and Economic Planning, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, and the Council of Governors-Kenya, which led to the approval of the programme and the signing of the Financing Agreement.
He noted that JDP 2.0 aligns with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, providing a platform to consolidate devolution gains, strengthen intergovernmental relations and enhance quality, equity and inclusivity in public service delivery across the eight target counties.
“JDP 2.0 is one of the key vehicles for realizing the devolution vision. The programme will strengthen participatory governance and accountability, improve county planning and budgeting systems, and promote evidence-based, data-driven decision-making to ensure women, youth, and marginalized communities are meaningfully included,” said PS Lenasalon.
The UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Ms. Madalena Monoja, thanked the Government of Kenya for committing 10% counterpart funding, noting that it enhances donor confidence. She also called for increased resource mobilization from both government and partners and expressed interest in learning the counties’ expectations of JDP 2.0.
Representing the Council of Governors-Kenya, Mr. Kizito Wang’alwa welcomed the collaboration and emphasized the need for the programme to address county-specific needs, maintain high standards, and avoid duplication with ongoing donor-funded initiatives.
During the meeting, the PSC approved the Programme Work Plan for 2026 and unanimously endorsed an amendment to the project duration in the Grant Agreement following delays that saw the programme approved in December 2025 instead of its initial 2023 start.
Other PSC members are drawn from IGRTC -Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee, County Assemblies Forum, Kenya School of Government, GIZ,German International Cooperation and the Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCCATT).