Raila Supports Limuru III's One Man, One Shilling Revenue Formula Initiative


Azimio leader Raila Odinga has entered the debate over the one man, one vote, one shilling revenue-sharing formula, asserting that it is the correct approach.

Raila emphasized that he is not driven by populism and is approaching the discussion with an open mind, stating that the country should engage in this conversation.

The opposition leader Raila Odinga endorsed the 'one man, one shilling' initiative after meeting with the organizers of the Limuru III conference.

The meeting, held at Chungwa House on June 6, included National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, and former Laikipia Governor Nderitu Muriithi, among others.




Odinga expressed his support for the formula advocated by the Limuru III convenors, noting its similarities to the proposals of the rejected Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

"“I want to agree with the phrase one man one vote one shilling. I agree totally with this," Raila stated during a media briefing on Thursday.

He emphasized that devolution is about equity in the sharing of resources in our country, not equality.

“It’s logical for equity of resources. I already supported the proposal on the defunct BBI. We need equity, not equality. That’s why in BBI we talked for one man, one vote, and one shilling,” Odinga said.

“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,” he added.

Raila stated that the initiative will not lead to discrimination but will ensure that each Kenyan receives a fair share of resources "created by our sweat."

“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 said.

Odinga also alleged that the government persists in interfering with devolved functions, such as roads and health.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been advocating for the one man, one vote, one shilling revenue-sharing formula, claiming it would benefit the Mt. Kenya region.



Gachagua urged people from the Mt. Kenya region to monitor politicians and their statements to identify those opposing the proposal, stating that the revenue-sharing deal is what the region deserves and that anyone campaigning against it is not an ally of the region and its people.

However, leaders from the North Eastern region argue that the one man, one shilling formula would further marginalize their communities. Some Meru leaders have also distanced themselves from the formula, with MPs from the region insisting that it would lead to the marginalization of certain counties.

Politicians from the Mt. Kenya region have been advocating for the distribution of revenue based on the 'one man, one vote, one shilling' principle, arguing that resource allocation should be population-based. Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi are among the heavily populated counties.

The recent Limuru III conference in Limuru has sparked significant activity among the political class. Leaders at the event emphasized the need for unity among Mount Kenya region leaders.

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, one of the meeting's convenors, stated that the people of Mount Kenya will continue to collaborate for the benefit of the community.

Currently, the revenue-sharing formula considers population (45%), basic equal share (25%), poverty (20%), land area (8%), and fiscal responsibility (2%). Mt. Kenya politicians argue that this formula leaves heavily populated counties with insufficient funds for development.



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