President William Ruto yesterday handed Kenya's chiefs and their assistants a sweeping new mandate, significantly enhancing their powers in a move the government says will bolster grassroots security and development. The directive, announced at a State House gathering of nearly 15,000 administrators, marks a decisive pivot back towards a centralized administrative structure.

This move fundamentally alters the role of local administrators, positioning them as central players in the government's agenda. However, it immediately sparked fears among civil society groups of a return to an era where chiefs operated with unchecked authority, a painful memory for many Kenyans who recall the provincial administration as a tool of state repression.

A New Toolkit for Chiefs

President Ruto's administration has equipped the administrators, now termed National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), with significant new resources and responsibilities. The President emphasized that these officials are a "crucial link between the government and citizens" and key enablers of his transformation agenda. The comprehensive plan includes:

• Enhanced Security Role: Chiefs will be supported by a dedicated National Government Administration Police (NGAP) unit to help tackle local crime, alcohol abuse, and drug-related issues.
• Digital Empowerment: All chiefs are set to receive digital tablets within six months for electronic reporting, intended to improve efficiency and create a national database for emergency response.
• Increased Resources: The government will procure 3,000 new vehicles, likely electric, to improve mobility and increase the chiefs' Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE) to better deliver services.
• Formal Recognition for Elders: Village elders will be officially registered and will receive a monthly stipend of KES 3,000, starting from July 1, 2026.

The Shadow of a Dreaded Past

For many Kenyans, the idea of an all-powerful chief is not a new one; it is a ghost of a difficult past. The provincial administration was a creation of the British colonial government, designed to enforce its policies and collect taxes, often brutally. After independence, successive governments retained and utilized this structure to maintain political control, suppress dissent, and reward loyalty, cementing the chief's reputation as a village tyrant rather than a public servant.

The 2010 Constitution was a direct response to this history, seeking to dismantle the imperial presidency and its tools by establishing 47 county governments. Devolution was intended to transfer power and resources from the central government to the grassroots, making county governors the focal point of local development, a role that now appears to be in direct competition with the newly empowered chiefs.

A Constitutional Crossroads

Analysts are now questioning how this revitalized administrative structure will coexist with the devolved system of government. The Constitution places sovereign power in the hands of the people, to be exercised at the national and county levels. Critics argue that creating a powerful, parallel structure reporting directly to the national executive undermines the authority of elected county officials.

The government maintains the move is about efficiency and security. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki praised the chiefs' role in development, noting that peace is essential for prosperity. President Ruto has tasked the chiefs with informing the public about government programs to counter "misinformation and fake news." As these new powers take effect, the nation watches closely, weighing the promise of enhanced security against the peril of reviving an administration many fought hard to dismantle.