It Is Sexist- CS Kindiki Shreds Gachagua, Raila-Backed 'One Man, One Vote, One Shilling'

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki on Friday, June 7 became the most notable government figure to oppose the One Man, One Vote, One Shilling revenue-sharing formula which has received the backing of both former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In a no-holds-barred verbal assault on the formula, Kindiki in two long posts on X accused the proponents of the mantra of not understanding its implications for the country's future, let alone think about the long-term impact on the parts of Kenya they purport will benefit from it.

"The cliché is neither a scientific principle nor is it an economic model of any kind. It is a mantra picked from casual banter and will fall flat when juxtaposed with the constitutional ideals and values upon which our nation is founded," Kindiki stated.

According to the Cabinet minister, every part of Kenya is entitled to prosperity not alone or at the expense of any other part of Kenya but rather, as part of the whole, arguing that the destiny and success of Kenya are inextricably linked to the destiny and success of each part of Kenya.

While calling for the mantra of 'One Nation, one Flag, one People' in its place, Kindiki without fear termed the revenue-sharing formula as 'sexist', at best.

"At its best, the man-vote-shilling slogan is sexist against women. The Constitution uses the term "person" and applies the pronouns "he" or "she" together in one sentence. 

"As a purported principle of resource allocation, the framers of the Constitution of Kenya rejected it for its potential to fuel sectional interests to the detriment of the Nation as an indivisible whole. Instead, a win-win framework was upheld in Article 203 of the Constitution by which the principles of equality, equity and affirmative action are balanced to forge a resource allocation outcome that advances national unity, cohesion and a sense of belonging to everyone who calls Kenya their homeland," he continued.

Kindiki reminded the proponents of how the Constitution, in terms of sharing the country's wealth, obliges Kenyans to consider "economic disparities within and among counties and the need to remedy them", and  "the need for affirmative action in respect of disadvantaged areas or groups".

His strong statements came hours after Gachagua slammed those labelling him a tribalist amidst his stance on the 'One Man, One Vote, One Shilling' formula, saying it is not meant to oppress or deter development in unpopulated areas of the country.

"When I'm a deputy president, I have my opinions, the president has his opinions, the Governor has his opinions and there is no fighting. All opinions are valid and we should sit down, all of us, we agree. We are talking about equity,” he said.

On Thursday, June 6, Odinga endorsed the approach as he called for constitutional amendments to ensure equitable distribution of funds.

Raila Odinga speaking during the presentation of Limuru 3 resolutions at Chungwa House on June 6, 2024. /RAILA ODINGA