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Joho chides Gachagua over one-man, one-shilling mantra

Joho said if DP continues with push, it will be fair game if Coast is given the port.

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by The Star

News16 June 2024 - 19:24
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In Summary


  • Gachagua has remained resolute that his push to have national resources shared on based on population distribution is unstopabble.
  • "There's nothing wrong when I say that resources should be shared on population, the most populated area should get the biggest cake," he said.
Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho speaking during the installation of Fredrick Owili as Ogai of Seme on May 18, 2024.

Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has dismissed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s call for a new revenue-sharing formula saying it’s dangerous and must be stopped.

Gachagua has emerged as a leading proponent for the one-man, one-vote, one-shilling revenue-sharing formula, which he contends will accord regions a fair portion of sharable revenue equal to the taxes they pay.

But the push has been criticised by a section of leaders with Joho stating that devolution was introduced to ensure equity in the distribution of resources, and ensure no county begs the government for resources.

Joho warned that should Gachagua continue with the push, the Coast region will demand that no money leaves the Mombasa Port, “so that every region gets value from the assets they hold for the country.”

“Coast region has never gotten a fair share of natural resources when others have been given national parks and assets,” he said.

The ex-governor cited Maasai Mara and Amboseli national parks, which were handed to Narok and Kajiado counties respectively.

“What has been given to Coast? If we are speaking of one-man, one-vote, one-shilling, is it not only fair that the region is given the port?” he asked.

Despite growing opposition, Gachagua has remained resolute that his push to have national resources shared based on population distribution is unstopabble.

He asked the Mt Kenya region to remain united and back the push so as to benefit from the national cake.

"There's nothing wrong when I say that resources should be shared based on population; the most populated area should get the biggest cake," he said during a stopover in Kagio town, Kirinyaga county on Saturday.

The DP stressed that Mt Kenya being the most populous region should recieve the biggest share of the national cake.

"I love my people and I have to speak for them," he said.

"When I say that resources should be distributed according to population, some people attack me. I will not be silenced, I will continue to speak the truth whether my critics like it or not," he added.

But Joho said that the DP is out to drive a narrative that Mt Kenya is the most populous region amid changing population dynamics in the country.

“We know what the DP is up to. The Kikuyu population has reduced over time. Luhyas are the largest. He is manipulating people’s minds on new census results,” the ex-governor said.


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