Kenya's 10-point reform agenda stalls as political hurdles persist

A bold plan to reshape Kenya's governance now hangs in limbo. Two years on, the promised reforms remain trapped in bureaucracy and unmet expectations.

, and Administrator

2026 March 9 . 3:05 PM

1 min read

The image shows a circle with the words "community accountability" written in the center,... — The image shows a circle with the words "community accountability" written in the center, surrounded by three overlapping circles. The circles are connected by arrows, indicating the interconnectedness of the three components of community accountability. The text is written in a bold font, emphasizing the importance of the message. The colors used in the image are bright and vibrant, conveying a sense of hope and optimism.

Kenya's 10-point reform agenda stalls as political hurdles persist

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Raila Odinga's ODM and President William Ruto's UDA was signed on 7 March 2022. The agreement promised to tackle long-standing government issues through a structured reform process. A key part of this deal was the creation of a 10-point agenda committee led by Agnes Zani.

The MoU set out to correct past governance failures. To push these changes forward, a 10-member committee was established under Agnes Zani's leadership. Their task was to deliver results within a year.

Between 2024 and 2025, the committee began nationwide consultations on constitutional reviews. However, progress on electoral reforms and strengthening devolution stalled. Funding shortages and political disputes slowed their work, preventing any major legislative or societal changes.

By March 2026, the committee's impact remained limited. While initial discussions took place, no significant reforms had been implemented. The delays left key aspects of the MoU unfulfilled.

The 10-point agenda committee, formed under the 2022 MoU, has faced persistent challenges. Despite early consultations, electoral and devolution reforms have not advanced due to financial and political hurdles. As of 2026, the promised changes have yet to materialise in law or public policy.