From Independence to Devolution: The Historical Evolution of Regionalism in Kenya, 1962–2022

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the historical evolution of regionalism in Kenya between 1962 and 2022, focusing on the political, constitutional, and institutional transformations that shaped regional relations. Regionalism emerged prominently during the negotiations for independence, when proponents of majimbo advocated regional autonomy to protect smaller communities from political domination and unequal resource distribution. However, the post-independence government dismantled the regional system and consolidated central authority. Subsequent decentralisation initiatives, multiparty political reforms, constitutional debates, and demands for equitable development kept regional questions alive in Kenya’s political landscape. The promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya in 2010 established a new framework of devolved government through 47 county governments, marking a major institutional transformation in the management of territorial power. Using a qualitative historical research approach, the article analyses constitutional documents, government policy papers, and relevant historical and political scholarship. It argues that Kenya’s transition from majimbo to centralisation and subsequently to devolution represents neither a straightforward return to regionalism nor a complete break with the past. Rather, it reflects persistent tensions between national political authority, territorial autonomy, minority protection, and equitable development. By tracing these continuities and transformations, the article contributes to historical understanding of state formation, constitutional change, and regional relations in postcolonial Kenya.