Devolution in Focus: Why Senators Want To Become Governors in 2017

When the new constitution was promulgated and celebrated by Kenyans from all walks of life, devolution was born.

For the first time in history we got 47 Counties, 47 County Assemblies, 47 Governors, 47 elected Senators, 47 women representatives, 300 plus Members of Parliament and thousands of Members of County Assemblies.

When the elections were held in the year 2012 under the new constitution, people went for various positions but four years down the line, some are realizing that they do not deserve those positions but something “better.”

The war is now brewing between senators and governors as the next General Elections approaches less than a year away.

Senators want to be Governors and Governors are not ready to let it go. Some Members of Parliament have also declared their interests in vying for gubernatorial positions come next year and some, want to me Members of County Assemblies.

Read: Has Devolution Failed? The Shocking Numbers in Theft

As to what has brought all these interests is a question to be answered by the angry and hungry aspirants themselves but the main reason here appears to be the quest for power and money.

A Senator earns approximately 740 thousand shillings in basic salary and when the allowances are added, the amount moves to slightly above one million. The same goes for Members of Parliament. A Governor earn approximately 1.11 million shillings in basic salary minus the allowances.

A Governor is in charge of the County. Everything that happens in the County is under him. He dictates what to be done and what not to be done. He directs what should be spent, how and where. A Governor is powerful.

A Senator on the other hand has no much to say in the County. His work is to ensure that he or she makes enough noise for funds to trickle down to the Counties for Governors to “plan” and “spend” it on “productive” projects.

Senators want to have a feel of that power. They want to move around with chase cars and be presidents of the Counties. It is not in the interest of the voter or the poor man on the ground but it is in the interest of power, of prestige and of money.

Read: Kenya Budget Preparation Process for FY 2017/2018 Launched

What is surprising many is the declaration by some Members of Parliament and some nominated Senators that they will vie to be Members of County Assemblies come next General elections.

An MCA is proving to be a very powerful person on the ground and the men and women are making millions doing totally nothing. All they have to do is to threaten their Governors with an impeachment, be on his neck to see how he spends money and the Governor, in order to protect his position, buys them. He takes them to expensive trips abroad like to go and wash hands in a lake in Jerusalem, pay them heavy allowances and always make sure that they are happy. MCAs are making money and some Members of Parliament want that money and that is why they are moving from Nairobi to the villages.

As the next General Election approaches, it is all going to be on the basis of who is who, who wants what and who wants to remain where. It will not be about the economy, not about the man on the ground but about who was born to eat to sweat and that born to sweat to eat.