One of the objectives of drafting a new Constitution for Kenya was to introduce a fair system for distributing resources. This idea started out as ‘majimbo” an idea which was opposed vehemently by the country’s capitalists who wanted to centralize everything in the capital city.
The Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) is a constitutional body in Kenya which provides guidelines for distribution of resources to the 47 counties but it provides no formula for sharing those resources within the county. This means that counties have freedom to decide on how to share whatever resources they have.
I agree with IBP_Kenya on the idea of Redistribution of economic resources in Kenya:
Most people share the idea that creating a more equal society may require us to treat people differently depending on their differing circumstances.
IBP_Kenya
This is the true spirit of equity. Equity is a synonym for fairness. I enjoyed my time earlier today discussing the concept with communities at High-ridge in Korogocho informal settlements. Most of the people I meet with agreed that treating people equally may actually make them more unequal.
Budgeting Involves balancing
Making a decision on how much to allocate to various sectors is not an exact science. It is both a technical and political. For instance I’d like you to tell me how you’ll share your Ksh. 100, 000 in the following scenario.
There are two Kenyans . Both live in the same estate and both earn Ksh. 35,000 a month. One has used the small plot behind their house to plant vegetables to sell and supplement their income by Ksh. 5,000 a month. The other has not used their plot to supplement their income. How will you distribute the Ksh. 100,000 among them?
International Budget Partnership (IBP) Kenya
It’s challenging, eh? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.
