Devolution lobby groups have faulted anti-graft watch over what they termed as bias in execution of their mandate. 

Under their umbrella, Kenya Devolution Civil Society Organisations Working Group (KDCWG), they pointed fingers at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for selectively investigating corruption cases. 

Addressing the press on Thursday in Nairobi, the CSOs officials said “skewed investigation and prosecution” of cases undermines the essence of devolution and cripples delivery of services in the devolved units.

While citing a case involving Siaya county official where they accused EACC for deliberately buying time to prosecute graft suspects, Chris Owala, a member of the KDCWG steering committee, said EACC is yet to take action even after receiving a directive from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP). 

“I wrote to ODPP and EACC asking them their bias in prosecuting some cases that were clear in Siaya, and on August 2, the ODPP wrote back to the Senior Prosecution Director. They instructed the EACC to move in and investigate the cases. To date, they have never done that,” he claimed. 

He alleged that investigations against the graft suspects have been delayed due to “their political alignment, their political correctness, there is no likelihood that those cases will happen.” 

“Reports suggest that certain counties are shielded from scrutiny, creating a perception of selective justice that undermines public trust and weakens anti-corruption efforts,” he said. 

By the time of going to the press, EACC had not responded to the allegations after calls and texts to the commission’s spokesperson went answered. 

This as the State commits to relinquish devolved functions that are still under the national government. 

On December 16, 2024, President William Ruto ordered the transfer of all budgets and resources for devolved functions still held by the national government beginning July next year. 

Earlier, Ruto had also directed the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGTRC) to commence identification and transfer of the budgetary allocation for the unbundled functions. 

“I am pleased to report that the IGTRC has finalised the unbundling of delineation and transfer of functions in line with my directive during our last summit,” Ruto said when he chaired the 11th National and County Governments Coordination Summit. 

But, KDCWG Thursday raised concerns over what they described as budgeted corruption in the counties, saying if not addressed, the public will not see the fruits of the functions yet to be transfered. 

They said county officials siphon public resources through inflated contracts, ghost projects and outright theft. 

“The devastating consequences of this rampant corruption are too clear. Roads remain impassable, healthcare facilities lack essential equipment and medication…The are not merely logistial oversights; they result from misappropriating public funds,’ said Evans Kibet, KDCWG Convener. 

They urged the office of the Attorney General and lawmakers to “move with speed to ensure that they formulate necessary law to complete the transfer of functions,” that will see counties receive additional sh272 billion from the exchequer.