Roads CS Kipchumba Murkomen has waded into the one man, one vote, one shilling revenue-sharing formula debate saying those advocating for it are enemies of the unity of Kenya.
Speaking in Isiolo North during a youth empowerment fundraiser, Murkomen said such projects as the 800-kilometre Nairobi-Moyale Road and the Lamu Port would not have been there with such thinking.
“President Kibaki had a grand dream for the development of marginalised areas. We shall complete the dream of our founding fathers to tarmac roads in the North from Isiolo to Mandera, complete LAPSSET corridor from Lamu to Isiolo via Garissa in this first term of this administration,” he assured.
Murkomen stated that most of those talking about the formula do not even know what it entails.
“When I was a senator, in the last Parliament, together with others we united and said we wanted to be known as Team Kenya. We did that because we wanted to portray Kenya as one country,” he said.
“Nairobi was getting a bigger allocation but Johnson Sakaja (now Nairobi governor) stood with us. Egeyo Marakwet was getting more money than Isiolo but I stood with Team Kenya.”
Murkomen noted that even as a Cabinet Secretary, he has a huge responsibility to ensure every Kenyan is a winner.
“Those saying certain regions should get a bigger allocation are enemies of the unity of Kenya. I do not fear to say so,” he stated.
He said leaders should ensure there is equitable development of the country.
He assured pastoralist communities and marginalised parts of the country that they would get their fair share of development.
Proponents of the one man, one vote, one shilling revenue-sharing formula include Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
The two have insisted that the formula does not imply that areas with low populations should be denied funds.
“We are just asking for equity. All children should be equal. Those in Samburu should be equal to those in Kajiado,” Gachagua told a meeting in Samburu on Friday.
Speaking at another event, Kibwezi West Constituency MP Mwengi Mutuse said population alone can’t be the only factor but can be given a higher weight in the simulation.
