We need discourse on structure of proposed regional governments

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

For the second time at a major devolution conference, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga this week restated his belief that a regional level of government was one missing panacea for Kenya’s ailing devolved government system. Anyone who has watched Raila over the years will know that this is not an idle proposal made solely to excite debate. All going to plan, it will be a referendum question.

What makes the proposal more potent and therefore passable is that it will find resonance with many in the political terrain whose political careers are tanking at the next election. Foremost of these are the second term governors who are wondering where to take their political capital once the second term ends.