News

Title: ODM changes tune on majimbo system

Date: 2007-11-01

The battle over a devolved system of Government has taken another dimension, with ODM opting for the Kiswahili term ugatuzi instead of majimbo. ODM says majimbo is being used by the Party of National Unity to scare Kenyans. "Majimbo just means region in Kiswahili. But the word has taken a different meaning. The devolved government of the Bomas Draft also depends on regions, and we are calling it ugatuzi," ODM says. The party adds that the system of government it advocates is similar to South Africa's where each person and region is taxed according to their ability. The regions are funded according to their needs, it says. ODM also says that the system would have a clear policy of locating industrial activity in different parts of the country. Kiswahili scholars have said the appropriate translation for a devolved system of government as stated in the Bomas draft is usambazaji wa rasilimali or usambazaji wa madaraka or ugatuzi. ODM says it is the only party promising to stick to the Bomas Draft and to bring a devolved government that was the choice of the people.