Stop corruption to reap benefits of devolution

This is Kenya’s seventh year under a devolved system of government. Devolution in Kenya is not a new concept. In fact, ‘majimbo’, the Kiswahili word for regions, was a political hot potato before, during and after Kenya gained independence in 1963. It was mainly pushed by what were then considered minority tribes; Kalenjin, Luhya, and Mijikenya - as a counter-measure to Kikuyu and Luo hegemony.

For a moment, proponents of majimbo had their way when the LegCo constitution recognised regions based on the seven former provinces and set up a bicameral system of legislature consisting of the Senate and the National Assembly.