Governor Nyong’o transfers key functions to Kisumu City Board for enhanced performance and Service delivery.

By Anderson Ojwang

In a move aimed at streamlining and boosting the county’s revenue base, performance and service delivery, the Kisumu Governor, His Excellency, Prof Peter Anyang Nyong’o has made radical changes by transferring some of the key functions in the county government to the City Board.

Prof Nyong’o is changing the devolution landscape by being the first governor in the country to devolve various Key functions to the City and make it semi-autonomous.

The move follows the successful implementation of various projects of development partners and the county government by the City Board which has made it to be ranked as the cleanest, most organized and planned city in Kenya.

In a show of trust in the City Board Management, the Executive has also delegated to the City Manager the role of Receiver of Revenue for various revenue streams within the 14 wards of Kisumu City:

In exercising his mandate, the Governor in pursuant to Kenya Gazette Notices Nos 6293,6294,6295,6297,6298 and 6299 dated 24th May 2024, transferred functions and responsibilities to the Kisumu City Board.

In a communique from City Manager Mr. Abala Wanga read “His Excellency the Governor of Kisumu County, in the exercise of his powers, transferred functions and responsibilities to the Kisumu City Board.

Following this transition, the County Secretary officially communicated these changes to the relevant departments, and it is hereby notified to the general public that, effective 1st April 2024, all functions and powers of the County Government of Kisumu related to urban management has been transferred to the Kisumu City Board.

The purpose of this transition is to improve service delivery, enhance governance, and ensure the efficient management of urban affairs within Kisumu City.

The City Board will now be responsible for providing a wide range of municipal services, all of which are crucial to the growth and development of Kisumu as a dynamic urban centre.”

In the new realignment, the Governor directed the transfer of Key urban management functions to the board namely;

I) Promotion, regulation, and provision of refuse collection and solid waste management services;

II) Promotion and provision of water and sanitation services and infrastructure (in areas within the City not
served by the Water and Sanitation Provider);

III) Construction and maintenance of urban roads and associated infrastructure;

IV) Construction and maintenance of storm drainage and flood controls;

V) Construction and maintenance of walkways and other non-motorized transport infrastructure;

VI) Construction and maintenance of recreational parks and green spaces;

VII) Construction and maintenance of street lighting;

VIII) Construction, maintenance, and regulation of traffic controls and parking facilities;

IX) Construction and maintenance of bus stands and taxi stands;

X) Regulation of outdoor advertising;

XI) Construction, maintenance, and regulation of City markets and abattoirs;

XII) Construction and maintenance of fire stations;

XIII) Provision of fire-fighting services, emergency preparedness, and disaster management;

XIV) Promotion, regulation, and provision of City sports and cultural activities;

XV) Promotion, regulation, and provision of animal control and welfare;

XVI) Development and enforcement of City plans and development control;

XVII) City administration services (including construction and maintenance of administrative offices);

XVIII) Promoting and undertaking infrastructural development and services within the City;

XIX) Pollution control (water, air, noise, and soil); and

XX) Any other functions delegated by the County Government.

In an earlier correspondence dated 9th December 2024, from the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance and Economic Planning, on behalf of the Executive, delegated to the City Manager the role of Receiver of Revenue for the following revenue streams within the 14 wards of Kisumu City:

1. Outdoor Advertising;
2. Physical Development and Building Plans Approvals;
3. Land Rates and Other Property Rates;
4. Single Business Permits (SBPs).