Abstract:
The article details the initiation of the Bungoma County Council (BCC) and its impact on
development, 1963-1978. Local governments in Kenya are important propellants of development
at the grassroots. The County Council of Bungoma was initiated in 1963 replacing the defunct
African District Council of Elgon Nyanza. Specific objectives were; to examine the successes of
the BCC, in social, economic and political developments, and to analyse the challenges that
faced BCC. Primary and secondary data was utilized. However, it was found out that, in early
years of Kenya’s independence, BCC contributed in the social and economic development of
Bungoma. Besides, the council faced a number of challenges during the Kenyatta era which led
to a decline in terms of service delivery. By 1978, BCC had lost its relevance. Consequently, the
study contributes to the historiography of local government in Kenya.
