𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐦𝐚, 𝐊𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐥𝐢 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲, 𝐋𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞

By Governor Press Service.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has told the Senate that his administration has already begun the process of granting operational autonomy to Bungoma and Kimilili municipalities, in line with the law on urban governance.

Appearing before the Senate Public Investment and Special Funds Committee chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Governor Lusaka said his government has progressively transferred key functions to the two municipalities as part of efforts to strengthen urban management and service delivery.

“We are already in the process of making our municipalities autonomous,” Lusaka told the committee. “Several functions have been devolved to Bungoma and Kimilili municipalities, and they are increasingly running their own day-to-day operations.”

The governor was responding to questions from senators who sought clarity on how far the Bungoma County Government had gone in operationalising municipal autonomy as provided for under the Urban Areas and Cities Act.

Senator Osotsi emphasized that municipalities should operate as semi-autonomous entities, noting that while they remain under the overall supervision of the county executive, they must enjoy financial and administrative independence.

“Municipalities should have their own staff, separate accounts and the authority to operate as distinct units within the county government,” Osotsi said.

In his response, Lusaka clarified that most of the critical functions, including procurement and daily management, have already been transferred to the municipalities. He noted, however, that the full transfer of some responsibilities had been delayed due to the absence of substantive municipal managers.

“Some functions could not be transferred immediately because the municipalities lack substantive managers,” Lusaka explained. “The county government is already in the process of advertising and recruiting to fill these positions.”

The governor said once the recruitment process is completed, the remaining functions will be transferred, allowing the municipalities to fully discharge their mandate.

The move to grant municipalities greater autonomy is expected to enhance efficiency, accountability and responsiveness in urban service delivery, while easing the administrative burden on county headquarters.[DNK-International@January 28,2026]