Irungu Nyakera, the Farmers Party leader and Chairman of the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA), has voiced his support for the “one man, one vote, one shilling” revenue sharing formula, emphasizing the need for equitable development across all regions of Kenya.
Speaking on the matter, Nyakera underscored the importance of ensuring that no region is left behind in the nation’s growth trajectory.
“I support the spirit of the ‘one man, one vote, one shilling’ but with a caveat that we must ensure Kenya develops in toto and no one region should be left behind,” Nyakera stated, stressing the necessity of inclusive growth.
Nyakera highlighted a historical context, pointing out that many past loans were utilized predominantly for the development of Nairobi and its surrounding areas, which subsequently benefited the Mt Kenya region. This historical allocation of resources has resulted in significant infrastructure advantages for some regions over others.
“Sometimes we celebrate how successful our regions or communities are while forgetting that they were developed using resources drawn from other regions,” he noted.
Nyakera pointed out that this uneven development is evident in various sectors, including education, road infrastructure, healthcare, and internet access, particularly disadvantaging the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) areas.
Nyakera called for a national dialogue to address these disparities and foster a more equitable distribution of resources. “My point therefore is that we should foster dialogue around how to make all Kenyans enjoy the fruits of our nation. What we pay for today, our children will celebrate tomorrow,” he emphasized.
His comments resonate with ongoing discussions on the need to create a balanced development approach that benefits all regions, ensuring that future generations inherit a country where opportunities and resources are evenly distributed. As the debate on the revenue sharing formula continues, Nyakera’s insights contribute to the broader conversation on fostering unity and equitable growth in Kenya.