Wiper Patriotic Front Party Leader Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Speaking at his Kithimani Farm while hosting grassroots leaders from the Mt. Kenya region on September 5, 2026. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva
Wiper Patriotic Front Party Leader Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has pledged to more than double the share of national revenue allocated to county governments if the United Opposition wins the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at his Kithimani Farm while hosting grassroots leaders from the Mt. Kenya region, Kalonzo said his administration would raise the equitable share allocated to counties from the current constitutional minimum of 15 per cent to at least 35 per cent.
Kalonzo said the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), which he co-chaired, had recommended an increase in county allocations from 15 per cent to 20 per cent, but accused the government of failing to implement the recommendation.
“As a Co-Chair of NADCO, we recommended that by now each County Government would not be getting 15 percent from the National Government’s 85 percent, but it should be 20 percent,” Kalonzo said.
He promised that a United Opposition administration would go further by raising the allocation to a minimum of 35 per cent, arguing that increased funding would enable counties to provide better services and reduce residents’ dependence on politicians.
“But as we get elected into office, we will increase this to a minimum of 35 percent for people to get services in the rural areas, and there will be no need for bribing citizens,” he added.
The former Vice President also accused President William Ruto of using the Machakos County Assembly Speaker to frustrate the county’s 2026/2027 budget, alleging that the move was intended to undermine Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s ability to deliver services to residents.
Meanwhile, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti backed calls for increased funding to devolved units, urging the National Government to implement the Council of Governors’ proposal for a higher equitable share.
Wavinya praised Kalonzo for what she described as his consistent support for devolution and welcomed his pledge to strengthen the system should he become President.
“I thank H.E. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka because he has always supported devolution. He has committed that, if elected President, he will strengthen devolution and increase funding to counties,” Wavinya said.
The Governor noted that the Council of Governors had sought an increase in the equitable share from the current 15 per cent to 38 per cent or more, but said the proposal had yet to be implemented.
Wavinya further used the occasion to call for greater protection of media freedom, urging political leaders and institutions to allow journalists and media houses to perform their duties without intimidation or interference.
Her remarks come against the backdrop of growing concerns over reported incidents of intimidation and restrictions targeting media practitioners and media organisations in the country.
The renewed push for increased county funding is likely to fuel the wider political debate over the future of devolution ahead of the 2027 General Election, with leaders from across the political divide increasingly making county financing a key campaign issue.
