Samburu leaders tell off DP Gachagua over 'one man, one vote, one shilling' formula

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday shared a podium with opposers of the ‘one man, one vote, one shilling’ revenue sharing formula during a women economic empowerment fundraiser in Samburu County.

Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit faulted the formula and told the Deputy President that it will deprive the Northern frontier counties of their deserved development.

“One man, one vote, one shilling ilitunyorosha sisi kama wafugaji. Naomba wewe na rais mtuhurumie mkuwe mashabiki wetu sababu watu wenu walifaidika kitambo,” said Lelelit.

DP Gachagua said the conversation on the ‘one man, one vote, one shilling’ revenue sharing formula that has caused jitters is not meant to oppress or deter development in unpopulated areas of the country.

“Mimi nikiwa naibu wa rais, pia mimi niko na maoni, rais ako na maoni, Governor ako na maoni, na hakuna vita. Maoni yote ni mzuri na tukae chini wote tuelewane. We are talking about equity,” he said.

Since the revenue share debate, DP Gachagua has found himself in a tight spot, with his opponents accusing him of rooting more resources to the Mt. Kenya region, until Thursday when opposition leader Raila Odinga publicly backed the call.

“Na haimaanishi kuwa nikiwa deputy president I’m limited to make an opinion. Niliona former Prime Minister na Eugene Wamalwa walisema vile nilisema na hawajaitwa tribalists. Kila mtu aseme opinion yake, mwisho we will agree,” added Gachagua.

Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda said: “Let us stop talking at each other and speak together as a country. It is time we have a conversation and not talk against each other, whether it is about ‘one man, one vote’ or ‘one man, one kilometer.’”

Samburu Senator Steve Lelegwe on his part stated: “Sisi kama pastoralists hiyo formula itatuumiza. Ukitaka sehemu ya nchi ambayo iko na maendeleo kidogo sana ni Northern Kenya na Samburu iko hapo na mimi nitasimama na ile ambayo itasaidia watu wangu; ‘one man, one shilling, one kilometer.’”

The DP called for a broader conversation and dialogue on the matter to ensure all counties get their deserved allocation.

“I agree when we say let us have a conversation, kila mtu aseme opinion yake, mwishowe kila mtu anufaike,” Gachagua noted.

He further assured residents of Samburu of enhanced security deployments to end banditry and insecurity.