Our Background

The State Department for Devolution was established in 2013, within the Ministry of Devolution and Planning through the Executive Order No.2 of May 2013.It was later reorganized as a State Department in the Ministry of Devolution and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands through the Executive Order No.1 of 2018 and Executive Order No.1 of 2020.

Its fundamental role was to oversee the implementation of devolution policies, coordinate intergovernmental relations, and provide technical support to county governments. The State Department played a crucial role in facilitating the transition towards devolved governance, supporting county governments in understanding their roles, responsibilities, and functions within the broader devolution framework. It ensured compliance with devolution laws, fostered cooperation between the national and county governments, and worked towards enhancing the capacity of counties for effective governance.

The State Department for Devolution was reorganized into an independent Ministry of Devolution in 2021. The State Department was placed under the Executive Office of the Deputy President through Executive Order No.1 of 2023 and consequently through the Executive Order No.2 of 2023 to coordinate Intergovernmental relations. The State Department draws its mandates from; the Constitution (2010), Policy on Devolved system of Government (2016), CGA (2012), IGRA (2012), PFMA (2012) and Executive Order No.2 of 2023.