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Eric Wainaina and Harrison Kivisu

The proposal for adoption of a three-tier governance system is set to be the next battlefront for Opposition leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto allies.

Though the issue is not captured in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report unveiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi, last November, it emerged at last Saturday’s rally in Mombasa. 

If implemented, the proposal which is proving popular for second-term governors, especially in the Coast region, will create county, regional and national governments— and, of course, more administrative and political posts.

Supporters of the March 9, 2018 Handshake between Uhuru and Raila are pushing for a review of the governance structure to introduce the post of prime minister with two deputies, but Ruto’s allies have raised reservations about the proposal.

On the premier post, the debate is whether it should be executive or not.

Second-term governors, led by Kakamega’s Wycliffe Oparanya and his Coast counterparts Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Amason Kingi (Kilifi) are pushing for creation of regional governments to be headed by regional premiers with an eye on the new seats.

But Ruto’s supporters want the country to retain the current two-tier structure, but with regional economic blocks entrenched in the Constitution. 

Yesterday, lawmakers allied to the DP in a meeting in Naivasha to discuss the BBI, rubbished calls for a three-tier government and instead proposed creation of a special fund to address issues of unemployment and agriculture.

National revenue

“Before creation of political positions and additional layers of government, a mwananchi economy and social fund must be entrenched in the Constitution with 15 per cent of the national revenue to be jointly managed by counties and national government,” they said in a resolution read by Saku MP Dido Ali Raso.

This was an indication that opposition to the three-tier government will feature prominently in their BBI rallies set to kick off next Saturday.

Kirinyaga Woman Rep Wangui Ngirichi, a Ruto ally, has warned those pushing for the creation of additional regional governments to create slots for governors that their plans will fail.

“We are aware of the scheme by some governors who are on their last term in office to create additional regional governments so that they can continue to serve in the new structure of governance,” she said. 

Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria supported Ngirichi’s sentiments.

“We are aware of a scheme by some governors and leaders whose term is scheduled to end in 2022 to create more positions to give them a lifeline. But we will resist this at all costs,” said Mandago yesterday.

Governors, who have been linked to the proposed seats include Joho, who is eyeing a likely position as head of North Coast bloc, Kingi (South Coast), Oparanya (Western), James Ongwae of Kisii (Nyanza), Murang’a’s Mwangi wa Iria (Central Kenya) and Mandera’s Ali Roba (Northern Kenya). 

Broken ranks

In Ukambani, there will emerge a contest between governors Alfred Mutua of Machakos and his Makueni counterpart Kivutha Kibwana who are serving their second terms and have declared intention to vie for the presidency. 

Governors from the Rift Valley, most of whom are supporters of the DP, have been ambivalent on their support for BBI. Elgeyo/Marakwet county boss Alex Tolgos is the only one who has openly broken ranks with the rest and declared his stand.

But leaders from the Coast who have been protesting that the region has for years been unfairly treated in terms of sharing of resources want the three-tier system. 

At a meeting attended by 3,000 delegates from the Coast region at Wild Waters Centre in Nyali, governors Joho, Kingi, Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta) and Dhado Godana (Tana River) came up with 16 resolutions, among them the three-tier government, which they will be pushing to be considered for referendum.

“The people of Coast are urging that there be an established a federal system of government where there will be a regional government while retaining county governments. Funding allocation for regional and county governments should take up 70 per cent of the national revenue,” said Kingi.

However, religious leaders, politicians and human rights groups have rejected the proposal, terming it self-centred.

Anglican Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit also rejected the proposed system, saying even though there was need for regional balance, it would burden taxpayers more.

“If we are going to create tiers that will increase the wage bill, I think it will be very hard for Kenyans to bear the burden,” he said on Sunday.

Haki Africa executive Hussein Khalid dismissed it as unacceptable because it would burden the already overtaxed Kenyans.

The lure to occupy new positions and control more resources that could be created, are some of the reasons some governors have thrown their weight behind the national cohesion project

The governors, most of whom would be retiring after serving two terms stipulated in the Constitution, are persuaded the expanded Executive and creation of regional governments would accommodate their future political ambitions.

Prof Hassan Mwakimako of Pwani University says the idea of federal system of government would be good for regional unity but would be compromised if politicians see it as opportunity for top positions.

Majimbo link

“The motive is an effort to return the power to regional kingpins like it was proposed for majimbo. Historically the region had asked for majimbo and this could be seen as a chance for actualising the idea,” he said.

The don added that the proposal for creation of regional governments should be viewed as an opportunity for consolidating power and resources for development.

Kakamega Senator Cleopas Malala, despite being a key proponent of BBI, is opposed to the idea, saying it’s a selfish move by second-term governors who do not want to retire.

“I think the push for regional governments is purely an egocentric agenda by second term governors who still want to be in power,” Malala said.