By Sumaya Hussein | Smart Muslim
Leaders of the Northern Kenya Forum convened at Serena Hotel in Nairobi today and released a statement condemning Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s one-man, one-vote, one-shilling ideology.
According to the leaders, the idea that every Kenyan gets an equal vote and share of resources is not a good way to distribute resources since allocation to counties will be based solely on population rather than the different needs and contributions of various regions.
“This line of thinking perpetuates ethnic supremacy, fosters self-entitlement, and promotes unwarranted denigration of certain populations, plunging the nation into a perpetual state of divisive political campaigning.” Read a statement from the forum
The leaders are representing more than ten counties including; Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Isiolo, Turkana, Samburu, Baringo, West Pokot and Tana River, Kajiado, Narok and Lamu.
Highlighting the historical marginalisation of their regions, the leaders called for the proper implementation of the Equalisation Fund that has remained in a limbo since the 2013-2014 financial year.
The Forum pointed out that Northern Kenya significantly contributes to the national economy, particularly through the livestock sector, which accounts for 12% of the national GDP and 40% of the agricultural GDP. Despite this, they noted significant disparities in resource distribution by the national government.
“It’s essential to recognise that there would be no Kenya without the pastoralist region, which significantly influences our nation’s socio-economic landscape,” They said.
They further called for an audit of the national budget, focusing on areas where their region is excluded. They demanded a comprehensive review of Kenya’s budget since independence to highlight long standing disparities in infrastructure development.
While in Mount Kenya Region over the weekend, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua promised to push for the one-man, one-vote, one-shilling mantra, stating that it is critical for the region’s development.
“The whole issue of resources is about the people. The more you are, the more taxes you pay. It goes without saying. The more taxes you pay, the more you should get.” He said, adding that he will push the agenda not because of coming from a populous region, but because “it is the right thing to do.”
Political leaders from other regions had recently criticised the Deputy President’s ideology stating that it would benefit only one community. The position taken by the Deputy President is a U-turn from his previous stance from when the ideology was introduced by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in the BBI initiative.
