President Ruto Opens 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay

President William Ruto has today inaugurated the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay.

Over 10,000 delegates converged upon the lakeside county, heralding four days of intense national dialogue centred on the theme of "Inclusion, Equity and Social Justice in Development and Service Delivery". The event, strategically located at Homa Bay High School, Raila Odinga Stadium, and Tom Mboya University, signals a renewed emphasis on addressing historical imbalances in regional development.

As Kenya's devolution journey enters its twelfth year, the conference represents a pivotal moment of assessment and recalibration. Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi emphasises the imperative of tackling persistent disparities in resource allocation and access to essential services. According to Abdullahi, the discussions will tackle how to incorporate young individuals and improve health care. 

Governor Gladys Wanga highlights Homa Bay’s proactive efforts to foster inclusive development. The Riwa Special Economic Zone stands as a testament to these endeavours, with its potential to generate employment opportunities for both the youth and persons with disabilities. The initiative, if successful, could serve as a model for other counties striving to create pathways to economic empowerment.

The conference agenda is meticulously structured around thematic sessions. The opening day addressed "Good Governance", scrutinising the embedding of transparency and accountability within county administrations. Forthcoming sessions are geared towards dissecting "Human Rights and Social Justice" and "Financing Equity and Inclusion". 

It is the latter which is anticipated to trigger significant debate, with proposals for reforming fiscal frameworks to better serve marginalised communities expected. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki will close the conference on Saturday.