Strengthening Devolution with the execution of the Second World Bank Implementation Support Mission for the Second Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP II)

Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening devolution with the execution of the Second World Bank Implementation Support Mission for the Second Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP II). The Support Mission high-level kick-off meeting was held by the National Program Steering Committee and it brought together key government officials, development partners and stakeholders to assess progress and strategize on enhancing service delivery at the county level.
Presiding over the kick-off meeting, Teresia Mbaika, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Devolution, underscored the importance of the KDSP II program in bolstering county governance, public financial management, and citizen engagement. 
"This mission presents a crucial platform to assess our progress, address challenges, and enhance the effectiveness of devolution in Kenya," she stated.
The meeting also emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between national and county governments, with a focus on addressing implementation challenges and ensuring that counties meet performance benchmarks.
Key stakeholders present included the The National Treasury and  Economic Planning, World Bank, CEOs from the Council of Governors-Kenya, Public Service Commission of Kenya, and IGRTC -Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee, State Department for Public Service, Ministry of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management, State Department for Internal Security, Salaries and Remuneration Commission and the Office of the Attorney-General and Department of Justice..
The mission will run from February 3rd to 17th and will focus on program coordination, financing and institutional capacity building. Discussions will include presentations on the overall implementation status by the National Program Coordination Unit (NPCU) and all the 47 counties with insights from the World Bank on priority action areas.
As the discussions continue over the next two weeks, stakeholders remain optimistic that KDSP II will significantly enhance county governance thus ensuring that devolution delivers meaningful development to all Kenyans.