Devolution is NOT the same as Majimbo

Right of Reply:

Chris, This post is in response to yours "Is Majimbo Good For Kenya?"

I beg to differ with some of the content.

To begin with, Devolution is NOT the same as Majimbo.

Majimbo is plural word for Jimbo which is swahili word for REGION. On the other hand devolution can be described as follows:

1. A passing down or descent through successive stages of time or a process.
2. Transference, as of rights or qualities, to a successor.
3. Delegation of authority or duties to a subordinate or substitute.
4. The transfer of powers from central government to regional and local governments.
5. (In Biology) Degeneration.

This definition(s) is/are simple and clear for anyone purporting to be politically informed. The political dictionary teaches us that in contrast to federalism, where each tier has protected areas of power, a devolved government remains constitutionally subordinate to the central government which gave it its power and which could in principle revoke it.

The above can therefore be taken to mean that ‘devolution’ is one of the components of a parliamentary system of government as suggested on the BOMAS DRAFT, which is what the ODM is propagating.

Both the Kilifi and Bomas drafts that were subject of the referendum in 2005 were in favour of regional governments, or federalism, which is the nearest equivalent English word. However, the Kilifi draft created a ‘rubber-stamp’ prime minister's post but it did not devolve any executive powers which everybody, including the current president and his court jesters, had initially agreed were the origin of all problems in Kenya. If anything, it the Kilifi Draft was rejected because it made it virtually impossible for any other tribe apart from Kikuyu to be president. In any case, the Bomas Draft does not have the words TRIBE or MAJIMBO anywhere in its pages. And those are facts!

Another correction; in your related post, you talk of certain areas in the country 'being bankrupt before they start', and then go ahead to give an example of the NEP - which you claim does not have any prospects of raising revenue on its own.

Please note a 'majimbo government' retains the responsibility of distributing national resources equitably amongst the regional states - which means, unlike now where a mere district in Nyeri can receive an allocation of about Kshs. 100m for water development funds while the entire North Eastern Province receives a third of that - all regions will receive equal resources from central government and (it gets sweeter) decide on how to use those resources in accordance with their own special needs and requirements!

Another thing, it is gravely unfortunate for Chris to suggest that a region which has gone through intentional segregation and neglect plus untold suffering of its residents at the hands of successive regimes to be used as an area for dumping toxic waste - AS IF - those people who live there are not human beings! Chris, for the sake of this country I am asking you to withdraw that suggestion if you lay claim to being a patriotic Kenyan!

Just to prove to you how off-track you are; When you say North Eastern province has got no self sustaining resources worth talking about, it means you have not done your research properly. The beef supplied by most butcheries in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu originate from NEP. The same region has helped Kenya to be an exporter of beef as a finished product as well as special breed livestock to Middle Eastern countries for ages. Even the revived Kenya Meat Commission plant gets most of its beef supplies from the NEP. On the other hand, Rift Valley province supplies the bulk of diary products in Kenya.

Lets not take this majimbo debate and misuse it to confuse Kenyans or start tribal / land clashes, please! Read the bomas draft and understand it, for it is freely available to download at Raila's blog! It makes no sense for PNU to oppose a constitution provision that was also in the Wako/Kilifi draft that they created (or should I say bastardised) and tabled for Kenyans as a referendum draft just two years ago. What if the YES! side had emerged victorious in the referendum, what would they be telling us now? Are they opposing it merely because Raila Odinga is no longer prime minister designate but president-in-waiting?

My own take is that a parliamentary system is better for this country as it makes the executive much more accountable to the people and it goes further to give the people a greater say in issues of governance and state expenditure. I mean, it would be lovely to have a prime minister being taken to task in the floor of the national assembly. It would also be fantastic to bring some relevance to the post of the leader of official opposition.