Kenya/SA book on devolution published

The Dullah Omar Institute in partnership with the Katiba Institute in Kenya published a book titled Kenyan-South African Dialogue on Devolution. This book includes South African and Kenyan chapters on the reasons for devolution; the levels, number, size and character of devolution units; the demarcation of devolution units; political structures; powers and functions; finances; metropolitan governance; intergovernmental relations; marginalised groups; and transitional arrangements.

The book, edited by Dullah Omar Institute’ Prof Nico Steytler and Katiba Institute’s Yash Pal Ghai is the first to discuss and compare the Kenyan and South African systems at length. It will be of value to other African countries that have embarked on devolution or decentralisation with the aim of curbing the centralised abuse of power and promoting political stability and development.

The Kenyan Constitution largely copied the structure, approach and principles of provincial and local government from South Africa. Since the Kenyan system is still in the process of being fully implemented, Kenyan-South African Dialogue on Devolution compares the two systems with reference to their legal provisions. Comparing how the two systems have functioned is more difficult. However, the principal value of this comparison at this stage lies in the lessons that Kenya can learn from South Africa’s 21 years of experience of devolution as Kenya proceeds with establishing its system: what routes to follow and what pitfalls to avoid.

Contributers to this publication include Dullah Omar Institute’s Jaap de Visser, Derek Powell, Nico Steytler, Annette May, Yonatan Fessha, Conrad Mugoya Bosire, Zemelak Ayele and Phindile Ntiliziywana.

The book is sponsored by the Unites States Institute of Peace and it can be ordered by following this LINK.