Economist David Ndii has responded strongly to remarks made by ODM party leader Oburu Odinga regarding former President Mwai Kibaki and his alleged stance on devolution.
Oburu Odinga had claimed that Kibaki did not support devolution during Kenya’s constitutional reform process. He made the remarks while discussing the history of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the struggles that led to the 2010 Constitution.
According to Oburu, Kibaki and his allies resisted proposals for strong devolution, including the early Bomas draft that proposed a more decentralized system of governance.
He further argued that this resistance led to compromises reflected in the final constitution.
In a response posted on X (formerly Twitter), Ndii largely agreed with Oburu’s historical interpretation of Kibaki’s political position.
He stated that Kibaki played a key role in earlier constitutional decisions that favored centralized power.
Ndii referenced past political developments, including the controversial Section 2A amendment that made Kenya a de facto one-party state under KANU.
He argued that Kibaki was part of the political establishment that supported such changes before the return to multiparty democracy.
He also mentioned the Wako Draft, describing it as a more centralized version of constitutional proposals compared to the earlier Bomas draft, which reformists preferred for its stronger devolution framework.
The comments have reignited debate over Kenya’s constitutional history, with political observers noting the continued differences in interpretation among leaders and analysts regarding the country’s path to devolution.
The discussion highlights how Kenya’s constitutional reforms remain a sensitive and often contested subject in modern political discourse.
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