OF COUNTY BUDGETS, BOONDOGGLES, RANGE ROVERS, DANCE HALLS, TOURS AND REVOLUTIONS.

Kenya is undoubtedly in a positive path - at least in theory. It has embraced devolution with gusto. The gospel in town is about County billions and development. The men and women in the village have "discovered" that nothing else stands in the way of development. They have elected their trusted leaders. And the National Government has "devolved" billions of shillings to the village.

But wait. Is this experiment benefiting the target group? It may be argued that it is too early to rate their (County Governments) performance. But the recently released County Governments Budget Implementation Review Report tells all. That development and devolution are incompatible. That as long as billions will be devolved, men and women in offices will parachute from one planet to the other to "learn" new ways of “actualizing development".

Which takes us to the hoi polloi. Will they benefit from this national largess? My mind tells me this. Boondoggles will be launched to "win" the hearts of the development-thirsty county residents. The fat cats will be dispatched to villages to "preach" the gospel of development. And my people will shout in agreement. Then they will retreat to their cocoons "knowing" that the sons and daughters of the soil will effect the change they preached.

And the change will actually come. The villages will be dotted with fuel guzzlers and dance halls. The sons and daughters of the soil will converge there to burn some excess calories gained after spending long nights "planning how to develop the masses".

Outside, my people will be mourning for losing a loved one due to absence/lack of health facilities. They will be told to wait until more money comes (from Nairobi). 

They will be asked to rejoice because the "success of a son (from the neighborhood) is success of everybody". That their sons can purchase range rovers and shake their tummies is development that should not worry them. They should accept the bitter truth - that this is "devolution". That it is time for "local sons and daughters" to eat the national cake.

But my people won't let it go. They will rise up to reclaim their place. They will face their sons and demand answers. And finally, the cake will be eaten by the masses. Of course, after some people have received heavy slaps!


Twitter: @mlemukol