Homa Bay County will this week become the focal point of Kenya’s governance calendar as the Senate takes the lead in shaping the future of devolution at the 2025 Devolution Conference. The four-day event, running from Tuesday 12th to Friday 15th August at Homa Bay High School is expected to reinforce the Senate’s Constitutional mandate to protect County Governments and promote equitable development.

President William Ruto is scheduled to officially inaugurate the conference on Wednesday, 13th August 2025, with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga delivering the keynote address on the second day. 

The biennial gathering, now in its ninth edition brings together national and county leaders, development partners and citizens to evaluate the progress of devolution and chart a path forward. The theme, “For the People, For Prosperity: Devolution as a Catalyst for Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice”, underscores the commitment to addressing regional disparities and ensuring every County benefit from the national development agenda.

This year’s conference offers the Senate an unrivalled platform to drive its oversight and legislative agenda in favour of stronger Counties. By steering discussions on fair revenue sharing, transparent governance and public participation, the Senate aims to ensure that Counties are empowered as engines of inclusive growth and service delivery.

The programme is designed around three thematic days. On Wednesday 13th August, the focus will be Good Governance, with plenary sessions examining transparency, accountability, civic education and the rule of law. This sets the stage for reinforcing systems that enable Counties to manage resources effectively and deliver services efficiently.

Thursday’s discussions, under the theme Human Rights and Social Justice, will explore how County Governments can integrate economic, social, political and cultural rights into their policies and programmes. The sessions will highlight the role of Counties in promoting equality and reducing long-standing socio-economic imbalances.

The final day, Friday 15th August, will focus on Financing Equity and Inclusion. Debates will centre on ensuring fairness in revenue division and creating access to finance for entrepreneurs, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This is considered a critical step towards strengthening local economies and creating employment at the grassroots level.

Beyond the main conference days, pre-conference activities from 9th to 12th August were planned to feature a marathon, cultural exhibitions and a concert. These events will not only showcase Homa Bay’s cultural richness but also provide networking opportunities for participants. Exhibition pavilions will present innovations and best practices from Counties and organisations committed to advancing devolution.

The conference will conclude with a joint communiqué outlining actionable resolutions. The Senate is expected to take a leading role in translating these outcomes into legislative and policy interventions, ensuring that the spirit of the conference is reflected in tangible improvements in County governance.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is expected to officially close the conference on Friday, 15th August 2025.

The Homa bay conference is positioned to be a turning point, with the Senate and the devolved structures working in unison to deliver equity, inclusion and sustainable growth for all regions of the country.