Governors don't deserve a cent more

Our leaders have continued to whip political emotions in the country not only after the last General Election but since independence so to speak.

Politics, I agree, plays a vital role in any country’s economic development but it should not be forgotten that only a free and stable political society grows economically.

Singapore, which started off as a third world country but now enjoying a strong economy has remained a single party state since independence in 1959. Also, by 1820, the biggest gap between the world’s leading economy of the day, the UK and the world’s poorest region, Africa, was a ratio of 4:1. By 1998, the gap between the leading economy, US and that of Africa had widened to 20:1.

The only advantage Britain and USA have enjoyed over Kenya is that as they embrace a free and stable political atmosphere we embrace poor politics. Former President Moi was right when he said “siasa mbaya maisha mbaya”.

With the coming of the new Constitution, devolution was welcomed because it was seen as the only way to end politics of resources allocation. But will the constant bad politics allow its successful take-off?
Consider the money allocated to the counties as a loan from the National Government. It is a seed capital which can be invested wisely to earn revenue. If you are using a loan on fruitless trips, allowances, and unprofitable ventures, then that is poor politics. What we are yet to realise is that the devolution we are joking with can give our counties autonomy with the national government remaining just as the exchequer.
I consider the call for referendum a new wave of pointless politics. And particularly so for governors. We trusted them with 15 per cent of government’s unaudited budget, were they trustworthy? Were they honest? Can they give us value for the 15 per cent?

Even the Bible in the Gospel according to St Luke warns: “whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, but whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
The more we preoccupy ourselves with poor politics, the easier we lose focus on key economic problems like high youth unemployment, high interest rates, crime, corruption, dwindling education standards etc.

If we are to achieve the desired economic growth and live to see Vision 2030, we must draw a line between politics and development. We will also need instruments to track economic growth in each county and strong anti-corruption provisions, which will see those guilty prosecuted to serve as a warning to those with similar intentions!