Raila: I Support the Push for One-Man, One-Shilling, One-Vote
Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the push for a revenue-sharing formula based on the principle of one man, one vote, one shilling, asserting its merit.
Expressing his openness to debate and rejecting the label of populism, Raila emphasized the necessity of engaging in discussions on the matter.
During a media briefing, Raila voiced his support for the concept of one man, one vote, one shilling, stressing the importance of equitable resource allocation under the framework of devolution.
He clarified that the objective is to ensure fair distribution of resources based on population and need, rather than absolute equality, emphasizing that the intention is not to discriminate against any region.
Addressing concerns about potential discrimination, Raila underscored the goal of providing every Kenyan with an equitable share of resources generated collectively.
He highlighted disparities in access to educational opportunities across different regions, advocating for transparent dialogue to persuade the populace of the formula’s benefits, citing its inclusion in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) proposals.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has championed the one man, one vote, one shilling approach, particularly advocating for its benefits to the Mt Kenya region.
Encouraging vigilance among residents of Mt Kenya, Gachagua urged them to scrutinize politicians’ positions on the proposal and support those aligned with its principles.
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He positioned opposition to the revenue-sharing deal as contrary to the interests of the Mt Kenya populace, urging unity in its defense.
Conversely, leaders from the North Eastern region foresee further marginalization resulting from the proposed formula, expressing reservations about its potential impact on their communities.
Similarly, certain leaders from Meru have distanced themselves from the proposed revenue-sharing mechanism, warning of its potential to marginalize certain counties.
MPs from the Meru region echoed concerns about the formula’s potential consequences, fearing it would disadvantage certain counties in terms of resource allocation.
Meanwhile, politicians from the Mt Kenya region have advocated for resource distribution based on population size, asserting the need to prioritize heavily populated counties.
Counties such as Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi, characterized by substantial populations, stand to benefit from such an approach.
Critics argue that the current revenue-sharing formula, which considers factors like population, equal share, poverty levels, land area, and fiscal responsibility, disproportionately favors less populated areas, leaving densely populated counties with limited resources for development.
Raila: I Support the Push for One-Man, One-Shilling, One-Vote