August polls should strengthen devolution


In the history of our elections, the contest for the presidency is a do-or-die affair. Wananchi believe that if you have one of your own in the top office, it translates to power and resources. Hence, the phrase 'it is our turn to eat'. Devolution, however, brought a new development.

Kenyans started focusing on grassroots leadership. Resources and power were taken from the centre and given to devolved units. This has changed the perspective of elections.

Having seen the impact of dispersing power together with resources to the counties, aspiring leaders should strive to strengthen devolution once elected. Adequate funding is mandatory if the devolved system is to achieve the intended goal.

All in all, never again should any section of the population be sidelined in the division of national resources.

Every citizen has a constitutional right to access national resources. Tying services to partisan political considerations is wrong. Through devolution, we can achieve equitable development. Bernard Amaya, via mail