How Devolution Left Kosele Town in Homa Bay Behind

A version of this article appeared on Nation.Africa

The old Rachuonyo County Council buildings in Kosele sit idle and crumbling. Mould covers the walls. Rust eats away at the roof. Grass pushes up through cracked pavements in the empty compound.

A weathered signboard still carries the council’s former mission. It promised quality services through community involvement. Those words feel distant now.

Before 2013, Kosele functioned as headquarters for Rachuonyo District. Residents from surrounding areas came for official business. Local hotels, shops and transport thrived on the constant movement.

Devolution changed the picture. County government operations relocated to Oyugis, roughly 10 kilometres away. Kosele lost the daily influx of people that sustained its economy.

Businessman Masoud Omollo remembers vibrant times. His family’s kiosk and retail shop served government clients. Sand sales boomed too. The shift forced them to move elsewhere.

Oyugis expanded quickly. Its location on major routes brings steady traffic. New roads, markets and a bus park attract investment and traders heading toward neighbouring countries.

Kosele feels quieter by comparison. Many shops closed. Streets empty out on Saturdays due to the dominant Adventist community. Activity resumes gradually in the following days.

The council offices tell the story of decline. Documents inside deteriorate from neglect. Termites and moisture do their work. Opened in 2001, the facility became largely redundant after devolution.

National government functions persist on a smaller scale. The Deputy County Commissioner’s office and some registries remain. Police acknowledge Oyugis offers better centrality for most operations.

Residents point to lost opportunities. Land meant for a medical training college went to Oyugis. A stadium that hosted events now sees livestock grazing instead.

Political commitments to revive Kosele have not delivered major change. Concentration of services elsewhere contributed to the slowdown.

The contrast with Oyugis stands out. What served as an equal hub now lags. Devolution brought progress to some centres while others adjusted with difficulty.

Kosele’s experience reflects broader patterns across Kenya. Not every former district town adapted equally to the new governance structure. Its story continues to unfold.