By Peter Ochieng
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader, Raila Odinga has offered his ‘50 cents’ on the raging one-man, one-vote, one-shilling debate, started by Deputy President Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua.
Odinga, while addressing the press on Thursday after holding a meeting with conveners of the recent Limuru III meeting, said the proposal is good, suggesting that it be adopted, going forward.
“I want to agree with the phrase one man-one vote-one shilling. I agree totally with this. That means you take count of the number of people where they are because services are for the people. One of the discussions in Limuru III was the issue of resource sharing in the country somehow this issue has been misrepresented as if it is discriminating against some parts of the country. Nothing could be further from the truth,” said Odinga
“It cannot be right that some children get more bursary than learners in other parts of the country. This is a conversation if we have it openly, we will be able to convince our people that this is the right way to go. That is why we had proposed it in the BBI,” he added.
Odinga’s stand is similar to the one expressed by DAP Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa. Last week, the former devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS) said the proposal if implemented, will not only benefit the people of Mt. Kenya, but the entire country.
Gachagua has been pushing for the formula to be implemented, stating that it would favour the Mt Kenya region. However, former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri has opposed the push, terming it a selfish campaign.
He said there is a need for the government to make sure that regions are allocated resources equitably and not equally.
“On the issue of one-man-one-vote one shilling, we are not saying that the allocation should be made based on population but the votes. Why should some people get more than others?” he paused.
“Let us be equal with that one shilling,” he added.
The vocal politician said the government must ensure equitable distribution of resources across all regions.