Counties constitute the primary administrative division in Kenya's devolved governance system, established under the 2010 Constitution. The country is divided into 47 counties, each headed by an elected governor and county assembly. Counties hold significant autonomous powers and are responsible for delivering essential services including healthcare, pre-primary education, water and sanitation, agriculture extension services, and county roads. They also manage local planning, trade licensing, and cultural facilities. This devolved structure was designed to bring government closer to citizens and distribute resources more equitably across regions. County governments operate with their own budgets, derived from national revenue allocation and locally generated income, and function as a crucial link between national policy and local implementation.