Musalia Mudavadi says referendum will not help counties get more cash

Former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has disagreed with claims that a referendum will lead to the allocation of more money to the counties.

He said that the agenda being pushed by Cord and governors through the Pesa Mashinani initiative did not consider the full balance of projects funded between the county and the national governments.

Speaking during the close of an annual national youth conference at the Pentecostal Assemblies of God church in Vihiga County, the United Democratic Forum (UDF) leader said that the allocation of resources must follow the functions being undertaken.

“I fully support the new system of governance. But the push for devolution of more funds just two years after take-off is improper. We should give the nation more time to take shape,” he said.

As a former finance minister, he advised those leading the campaign for a referendum to consider that the national government also has sensitive functions that require adequate funding.

These, he said, include maintenance of security, service commissions, defence and major infrastructural development programmes.

NEW LAWS NOT NECESSARY

“(A) referendum is not an end it itself. If the challenge is that the government has not followed the Constitution in devolving funds, what is the essence of making other laws (through a referendum) which may not be implemented?” he questioned.

“I want to put a challenge that we first set the full balance of who deserves what amount for various development projects between the national government and the counties,” said Mr Mudavadi.

At the same time, Mr Mudavadi refuted claims that he was working with the Jubilee government, saying that he was only pushing for inclusivity of western Kenya in the government’s executive positions.

"Don’t you appreciate my efforts in pushing for the nomination of Prof George Godia as the Unesco ambassador?” he asked.

CANNOT PLAY SECOND FIDDLE

He also said that he cannot play second fiddle to Cord leader Raila Odinga, whom he accused of mistreating leaders from western Kenya.

Mudavadi said that the ODM leader wants them to always be subordinate to him and not be seen to be gaining more ground than him.

This, he said, was evident during the recent memorial service for the late former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa.

“Mr Odinga gave Kijana Wamalwa a rough time when they were working together. He also presented a lot of difficulties to me and now Ababu Namwamba is being called a traitor for not toeing his line.

“Raila and I are not enemies. It is normal for people to hold divergent views. As such, political differences should be respected,” Mr Mudavadi said.