Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has criticised the 'one man, one vote, one shilling' mantra, denouncing it as shortsighted and detrimental to Kenya's future.

In a statement on X on Friday, Kindiki asserted that proponents of the slogan - who include Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua - fail to grasp its implications and long-term ramifications for the nation.

Kindiki further argued that the mantra lacks substance as it is not grounded in any scientific or economic principles but instead appears to have been plucked from casual conversation, further stressing that it cannot be relied upon to address the complex economic challenges facing Kenya.

"The cliché is neither a scientific principle nor is it an economic model of any kind. It is a mantra picked from casual banter and will fall flat when juxtaposed with the constitutional ideals and values upon which our nation is founded," said Kindiki. 

Additionally, the CS stressed that every region of Kenya should have the opportunity to prosper, not at the expense of others but as integral parts of the whole nation.

"Every part of Kenya is entitled to prosperity not alone or at the expense of any other part of Kenya but rather, as part of the whole," he said. 

"The destiny and success of Kenya is inextricably linked to the destiny and success of each part of Kenya. One nation, one flag, one people."

On Friday, Gachagua shared a podium with opposers of the ‘one man, one vote, one shilling’ revenue sharing formula during a women economic empowerment fundraiser in Samburu County.

Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit faulted the formula and told the Deputy President that it will deprive the Northern frontier counties of their deserved development.

“One man, one vote, one shilling ilitunyorosha sisi kama wafugaji. Naomba wewe na rais mtuhurumie mkuwe mashabiki wetu sababu watu wenu walifaidika kitambo,” said Lelelit.

DP Gachagua said the conversation on the ‘one man, one vote, one shilling’ revenue sharing formula that has caused jitters is not meant to oppress or deter development in unpopulated areas of the country.

“Mimi nikiwa naibu wa rais, pia mimi niko na maoni, rais ako na maoni, Governor ako na maoni, na hakuna vita. Maoni yote ni mzuri na tukae chini wote tuelewane. We are talking about equity,” he said.

Since the revenue share debate, DP Gachagua has found himself in a tight spot, with his opponents accusing him of rooting more resources to the Mt. Kenya region, until Thursday when opposition leader Raila Odinga publicly backed the call.