In a significant move aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and enhancing service delivery, the government of Kenya officially operationalised a 19,000-strong unit of chiefs and their assistants on May 6, 2025.
This marks the return of the once-powerful local administrators whose role had been increasingly diminished in recent years due to the effects of devolution and a shifting political landscape.
The Interior Ministry confirmed that the rollout is part of a broader national strategy to reinforce law and order, improve coordination between national and county governments, and ensure timely implementation of state directives at the local level.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Hon. Ones us Kipchumba Murkomen lauded the operationalisation as a “milestone in restoring the authority and dignity of the chief’s office,” emphasizing their critical role in conflict resolution, community mobilization, and disaster response.
Under the new framework, chiefs and assistant chiefs will be equipped with more defined mandates, improved resources, and digital tools to enhance efficiency.
Their duties will also extend to supporting national security initiatives, spearheading civic education, and overseeing government programs such as the Kenya Kwanza Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Critics have, however, raised concerns about the possible politicisation of the chief’s office and the risk of overlapping functions with county administrators.
Proponents argue that with proper checks and a clear operational structure, the chiefs will act as vital links between citizens and the state, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
This reintroduction of a robust administrative tier could mark a turning point in Kenya’s governance model. It would balance traditional leadership structures with modern state functions and ultimately promote a more cohesive national administration.
