Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has doubled down on his controversial proposal to link education bursaries strictly to population density. Speaking to a gathering of teachers in Murang’a, Gachagua argued that the current model, which allocates equal Constituency Development Fund (CDF) amounts to all constituencies regardless of size, is "discriminatory and unjust."

"How can a constituency with 5,000 students receive the same bursary allocation as Ruiru, which has 50,000?" Gachagua posed. "This is not tribalism; this is mathematics. I am calling for equity, not favors." The remarks have reignited the divisive "One Man, One Vote, One Shilling" debate that has polarized the nation.

The "Have-Nots" Pushback

Leaders from sparsely populated regions, particularly in the North East and Coast, have condemned the proposal as an attempt to marginalize historically underserved areas. "Equity means uplifting the weak, not just feeding the strong," retorted Garissa Township MP Dekow Barrow. "The cost of delivering education in the arid lands is triple that of the central highlands."

• The Policy Gap: Currently, every constituency receives approximately KES 137 million annually. In populous areas, this translates to a bursary of KES 2,000 per student, while in smaller constituencies, students can receive full scholarships.
• The Political Angle: By championing this cause, Gachagua is solidifying his base in the populous Mt Kenya region, portraying himself as the sole defender of their economic interests against a "blind" national government.

A Looming Legislative Battle

Gachagua’s allies in Parliament are reportedly drafting a bill to amend the CDF Act. If tabled, the bill promises to be a legislative bloodbath, pitting populous counties against the rest of the country and testing the unity of the Kenya Kwanza coalition.