The National Assembly Committee on Regional Development has opened public participation on the Development Authorities Laws (Repeal) Bill, 2026, which proposes to dissolve six regional development authorities.

The committee began the process on Friday and will hold the first phase of the consultation on October 9 in Elgeyo Marakwet, Isiolo and Narok counties.

The authorities affected are the Coast Development Authority, Kerio Valley Development Authority, Lake Basin Development Authority, Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority, Ewaso Ng'iro South Development Authority and Ewaso Ng'iro North Development Authority.

Committee chair Peter Lochakapong’, the Sigor MP, said the repeal aims to wind up bodies that have already fulfilled their mandates and to align national development functions with the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution.

He explained that removing the authorities should reduce pressure on the national budget and improve efficiency, accountability and service delivery through consolidation under existing institutions.

The bill, sponsored by Leader of the Majority Party Kimani Ichungw’a, would transfer the major operations, staff and balance sheets of the six authorities to the National Treasury and the Public Service Commission if it becomes law.

The legislation was first read in the National Assembly in July and then referred to the committee for public participation as required by the Constitution.

The committee noted that the bill seeks to repeal the statutes that created the authorities and to move their assets, debts, contracts and personnel to the Treasury and PSC.

It states that the authorities have completed the mandates for which they were established and that their abolition will align the roles of national and county governments with the fourth schedule, lessen budgetary allocation pressure and enhance efficiency, accountability and service delivery.

On the transition date, components of each authority will be transferred to the State Department for the National Treasury, which will succeed the authorities, while all loans, credit facilities and securities will remain valid under Treasury management.

The bill further provides that all contracts and agreements will continue and can be enforced against the Treasury, and that any legal proceedings involving an authority will proceed with the Treasury taking its place.

Employees of the authorities are expected to become staff of the Public Service Commission on terms no less favourable than before, with their years of service counted continuously for pension, gratuity and other retirement benefits.

Within 30 days of the act’s commencement, the Cabinet Secretary must issue directives on how to transfer assets, rights and obligations, covering records, documents and the winding up of the authorities’ affairs.

The Cabinet Secretary may also issue policy directives and guidelines to implement the act, and existing orders and notices under the repealed laws will remain in force unless amended or revoked.

The public has been urged to submit views and suggestions on the bill, including proposals to delete, retain or add any provisions.