Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has blamed marginalisation and poverty experienced in the country to the Government Sessional Paper of 1965, which only directed resources to areas perceived as highly productive and potential in terms of returns to the disadvantage of the regions viewed as lowly endowed.
Odinga regretted that the policy paper led to inequality in terms of resource allocation and distribution from the national government to the regions.
"The Government Sessional Paper of 1965 contributed to high levels of poverty and marginalisation of communities from regions which were profiled as poor in terms of production," stated Odinga.
He also said the situation has since changed after the promulgation of the new constitution which ushered in a new dawn through the establishment of devolved systems of governance which has taken power and resources to the people at the grassroots.
"Devolution is meant to enable all citizens from all parts of the country discover what they can share with the rest of the country as opposed to what the national government can share with the rest of the country," observed Odinga.