Historical Development of Federalism in Kenya from 1960 to 2022

This study explores the historical development of federalism in Kenya and its socio-economic implications in the Eastern Region between 1960 and 2022. While federalism and devolution have been central to Kenya’s political evolution, their regional dimensions remain underexplored, creating a gap that this study addresses. The research was guided the objective of tracing the historical development of federalism in Kenya since independence from 1960 to 2022. The study adopted a descriptive design and qualitative approach. Data were obtained through archival research, interviews, focus group discussions, and observations, targeting communities and leaders across the seven counties of the Eastern Region. The analysis drew on Marxist theory and the Great Man theory to interpret the interplay of structural and individual factors in shaping governance. A total of 60 respondents were sampled from a population of over 6.8 million people, with qualitative data subjected to content analysis and presented in narrative form. Findings indicate that federalism and devolution were widely perceived as remedies to decades of marginalization, enabling communities to access resources and participate in local governance. Notable gains included improved access to government services, education, and infrastructure. However, persistent challenges were identified: inadequate funding, corruption, weak coordination among leaders, illiteracy, limited public participation, and unqualified personnel. These issues hindered the full realization of federalism’s promise. The study contributes to the historiography of governance in Kenya by situating the Eastern Region within broader debates on federalism and devolution. It also provides policy-relevant insights for strengthening devolved structures to promote equitable socio-economic development.