By Njeri Irungu
Outgoing Principal Secretary for Devolution, Ms. Terry Mbaika, today officially handed over leadership of the State Department to her successor, Mr. Michael Loikenu Lenasalon, in a ceremony marked by warm reflections and optimism for the future.
Speaking during the handover event, PS Mbaika expressed pride in the milestones achieved under her leadership and extended her full support to the incoming PS. “It has been an honor to contribute to the advancement of devolution in Kenya,” she said. “I am confident that Mr. Lenasalon will build on the progress we have made and take this docket to even greater heights.”
During her tenure, PS Mbaika played a crucial role in strengthening Kenya’s devolution framework. She focused on enhancing county governance through capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that devolved units could deliver services more efficiently. Her efforts also contributed to improved fiscal decentralization, working closely with the National Treasury and the Commission on Revenue Allocation to facilitate timely and equitable fund disbursement to counties.
A strong advocate for public participation, Mbaika championed policies that encouraged citizen involvement in county planning and development. She also prioritized intergovernmental relations, mediating disputes between national and county governments to foster cooperative governance. Under her leadership, the State Department developed key policy guidelines to streamline devolution and improve service delivery across the country.
In her farewell remarks, Mbaika thanked President William Samoei Ruto for the opportunity to serve and praised the Devolution ministry staff for their dedication. “This team has been exceptional—their hard work and commitment made my time here truly rewarding,” she said.
Incoming Principal Secretary Michael Lenasalon acknowledged Mbaika’s contributions, pledging to uphold the ministry’s mandate while driving further reforms. “We will continue the good work that has been done and explore new avenues to strengthen devolution for the benefit of all Kenyans,” he said.
The transition ceremony was attended by senior government officials, underscoring the importance of a seamless handover in Kenya’s devolution journey. As PS Mbaika steps away from the role, her legacy remains a foundation for future progress in Kenya’s decentralized governance system.
