Oldonyoro Isiolo, Kenya: On Katiba Day, Wednesday 27th August 2025, the Isiolo County Assembly brought governance closer to the people by convening its sitting in Oldonyiro under the Bunge Mashinani program. The symbolic move underscored the promise of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, blending civic outreach with serious legislative business.
In the morning, Members of County Assembly (MCAs) went door to door in Oldonyiro, engaging residents in civic sensitization. They explained constitutional rights, the role of devolution, and the importance of public participation. Leaders hailed the initiative as a practical way of making the Constitution real for marginalized communities often left out of decision-making.
By afternoon, the Assembly convened at the Oldonyiro Hall for its Fourth Session. MCAs passed a series of significant resolutions, including the rescission of an earlier attempt to remove the Clerk, the nullification of irregular absenteeism referrals, and the rejection of all sittings conducted outside the duly gazetted Oldonyiro precincts. The House also approved fresh committee appointments to strengthen its oversight role.
The relocation is more than a stop-gap measure. Bunge Mashinani allows the Assembly to operate in Oldonyiro temporarily, creating space for renovations of the vandalized chambers in Isiolo town while also boosting public participation in hard-to-reach areas. Leaders argue the program turns devolution into a lived reality for citizens in Kenya’s frontier regions.
Reactions on the floor were telling. Deputy Speaker Hon. David Lemantile condemned the vandalism of Assembly offices, calling it “an attack on democracy and the rule of law,” while urging communities to reject divisive politics. Hon. Francisco Letimalo praised the move to Oldonyiro, saying it was already improving livelihoods and stimulating the local economy. Hon. Gira, in a fiery statement, warned that leaders who opposed the relocation should not expect Oldonyiro residents to back them at the ballot.
The session also resolved to reconvene on Thursday, 28th August 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with debate expected on two major pieces of legislation: the Isiolo County Community Conservancies Bill, 2025, and the Isiolo County Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill, 2025. However, the highly anticipated State of the County Address by Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan, scheduled for the same day, was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. Assembly leadership pledged to announce a new date soon.
For now, Oldonyiro has become the heart of Isiolo’s democracy. The combination of grassroots civic education and a functioning Assembly in the remote town has energized supporters who see it as proof of devolution’s power. Yet questions remain about costs, logistics, and politics. Whether the experiment yields lasting benefits or fades as symbolism will determine if Bunge Mashinani is a turning point in Kenya’s democratic journey or simply a bold frontier test of devolution.
