Kenya's devolution framework continues to gain public approval, with the latest Infotrak survey revealing a record 75% of Kenyans expressing confidence in the system in 2026. This marks a significant rise from 68% recorded in 2015.
More than a decade after the 2010 Constitution introduced county governments, a majority of citizens believe that their counties are better off following the decentralisation of power and resources.
Trends in Public Perception
- Between 2023 and 2024, satisfaction with county performance dipped, with up to 25% of respondents feeling their counties had worsened during this period.
- By 2026, those expressing dissatisfaction decreased to 16%, indicating a rebound in confidence and optimism about county development.
- The proportion of Kenyans perceiving little or no change in their counties steadily declined from 18% in 2015 to 9% in 2026.
Overall, three out of four Kenyans now affirm that devolution has positively impacted development within their counties, the highest approval rate since this survey series began.
