Former Lagdera Member of Parliament Farah Maalim has thrown his weight behind calls for a referendum aimed at increasing budgetary allocation for counties from the national kitty.
The 2010 Constitution provides a 15 per cent minimum equitable share of revenue for counties from the national government.
But Maalim has called for strengthening of devolution by increasing minimum equitable share of revenue for counties to 50 per cent.
The former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly argued that by sharing revenue equally between the counties and national government, the presidency will become unattractive for persons who seek the highest office in the land, with intent to steal public resources.
By keeping away 'thieves' from the presidency, Maalim contended, State House will be occupied by a person of integrity who will not allow plundering of public resources in the devolved units.
"If the centre in Nairobi ends up with little allocation, State House will enforce law firmly, the Presidency will not attract thieves and like Nigeria many Governors will be hauled to jails. Ethnic harmony will be assured since every community will be busy with itself at the County," he tweeted on Saturday.
The former MP challenged Senators and Governors to come up with a proposal to increase budgetary allocation for counties to 50 per cent and campaign hard to ensure the Constitution is amended to the effect.
"The only way devolution can be saved in Kenya and corruption at the centre tamed is for the Senate and Governors to unite & force a referendum for constitutional amendments to increase County allocations to 50% of ordinary revenue. The less at the centre the less the corruption," Maalim reiterated.