Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is facing mounting criticism from politicians after his recent remarks supporting governors in their standoff with MPs over the Division of Revenue. Raila’s defense of devolved units has sparked backlash, with dissenting voices accusing him of undermining democracy and fueling political tension.
In a strongly worded statement on Friday, Raila condemned Members of Parliament for allegedly orchestrating a “power grab” against county governments. He argued that MPs should relinquish control over billions allocated for constituency-based roads, allowing governors to manage resources fully at the county level. According to Raila, this would enable the effective implementation of devolution, a cornerstone of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
Raila’s stance has not been received well by a section of politicians, who perceive it as hypocritical and divisive. DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa accused Raila of doublespeak, citing his ODM party’s collaboration with President William Ruto’s administration.
In a statement shared on the DAP-K official X account, Wamalwa said, “When H.E Raila Odinga talks about the independence of Parliament and the need for MPs to oversee the executive, he forgets that he donated the minority leader and his ODM officials to the executive.” He described Raila’s actions as “double-dealing and conmanship,” claiming they had eroded parliamentary democracy.
National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro also weighed in, alleging that governors were hiding behind Raila to escape scrutiny. “Governors are pushing for more resources but are sleeping on the job. They must show accountability for the billions they receive. Stop focusing on the Sh100 million of NG-CDF, and let us see what you’ve done with the billions allocated to counties,” Osoro said.
Osoro further urged Raila to hold governors accountable, emphasizing that effective use of funds at the county level is critical to the success of devolution.
Salasya’s Rebuke
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, a member of the DAP-K party, echoed the sentiments against Raila, accusing him of scheming to strip MPs of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).
Salasya claimed that Raila’s ultimate goal was to weaken MPs, forcing them to rely on President Ruto for development projects. “After realizing he could not control independent-minded MPs like me, Raila now wants CDF abolished so that MPs have no choice but to beg for development,” Salasya said.
He criticized Raila for seemingly aligning with Kenya Kwanza’s policies, including those that have faced public disapproval.
A Governance Debate
The impasse over the Division of Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2024 has reignited debates about the role of MPs and governors in Kenya’s governance structure. Raila described the ongoing dispute as a direct assault on the Constitution, accusing MPs of overstepping their mandate. He urged them to focus on their core responsibilities of legislation, oversight, and representation, leaving development projects to governors.
“This power grab is exacerbated by NG-CDF and NGAAF, which give MPs the ability to conceive, implement, and oversee projects simultaneously,” Raila stated.
Governors, for their part, want all funds disbursed to constituencies for road maintenance redirected to county governments. They argue that this move will ensure cohesive and efficient implementation of development programs at the grassroots level.
Divided Opinions
The standoff highlights the ongoing tug-of-war between MPs and governors over the control of development funds. While Raila’s support for governors underscores his commitment to strengthening devolution, critics argue that his approach undermines MPs’ ability to deliver localized development projects effectively.
As the debate rages on, Kenyans are left to grapple with the implications of this power struggle, hoping that a resolution will prioritize transparency, accountability, and service delivery across all levels of government.
