Wealth maximization is a function of how the county economies will be modelled and run.

Can someone please explain how these counties are going to be economically viable?

I doubt it will be worse.Kenyans have experienced too much change and freedom to allow some few politicians to try and take things back to pre 2002 era.We're not perfect but at least now we hope,expect and sometimes demand results.

I mean no disrespect to other E.Africans but here I go. I think Kenya is a pillar of stability in this region.For that reason I don't think the other nations would allow its interest in Kenya and the E.A region suffer because of a few individuals or oil. How would they get oil and other commodities in and out of the region with Kenya in turmoil?

Not dictate.They will use "persuasion"
In this globalized world we live in,I believe economic interests influence political will.

Tycho,

We need to be careful not to put too much hope in devolution. Devolution was crafted as a solution to a Political, not Economic problem (namely to cut certain tribes down to size).

If you want a rough image of what devolution will likely bring about in the short and medium term, you only have to look at the past local government system, where almost all councils collapsed under the weight of corruption, lack of management talent, insularity etc.

It will take more than the next election before Counties can become the centers of economic growth that you imply. Maybe a generation. Remember who ever wins the Presidential contest will inherit a largely emasculated position, one where a governor will have more power in some respects than the President. Knowing our politicians, the instinct of the winner, any winner, will be to try and claw back some of the lost power through extra-constitutional and other means.

You have seen Kibs behavior, dragged as he was, kicking and screaming to the new dispensation.

If youth think RAO, Uhuruto, Ken/Tuju, Kiyapi/Kinyua, MADVD/?, Mama/? et al will be any different, just wait.

Agreed.

Devolution in itself, or rather the path that leads to the ultimate recognition of an individual rather than a social unit as the true locus of autonomy, is a good thing.

I referred, however, to the Kenyan case where, since before independence, devolution has been sold for all the wrong reasons. As an illusory panacea to our 'fear of the other.' Real devolution should aim to raise up the fallen not to bring down the seemingly risen.

Nevertheless, like you, I hope that our brave attempt at social change will yield economic benefits. I just think it will take time.

A system that starts by potentially doubling the cost of political representation and government is not a very good start on the road to economic growth.

Won't you agree?

From an investors point of view, jubilee resembles the right wing/conservative/republican ideology known to protect capitalists and maintain status quo

Cord resembles the left wing/labour movement which protects the workers and social marginalized through social programs and wealth redistribution.

In my case i'm a capitalist so I work for my own selfish interest so I would prefer an outright jubilee win but I am also mindful that such a win would scare hot money in the short run. I'm more worried about an outright cord win because that would scare the local capital which will feel under siege and threatened by the land reforms and wealth distribution and therefore weak KRA collections and more innovative taxes possibly including capital gains tax. In the worst case a compromise- jubilee wins in parliament, cord wins in the executive that way both interests are protected.

On the KRA collections please see the future below
"The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collected Sh342 billion in taxes at the end of December, less than half of the targeted total of Sh817.5 billion for the current financial year.

The amount collected in the first six months of the year is equivalent to 41.8 per cent of the full-year target, which points to possible expenditure cuts and more borrowing by the Treasury to plug the gap."
http://www.businessdaily...8/-/hmh1qyz/-/index.html

Wakanyugi, my first statement represents my wishful thinking. On the government financing I think it is artificial and more based on preservation of capital in uncertain times especially when you are not sure if you will be in control of political power.

On the sanctions that's more of a myth. sanctions were imposed on sudan because it is a state sponsor of terrorism not because of ICC, in Zimbabwe the sanctions are targeted at individuals or entities that undermined the democratic process but there is no trade embargo against zimbabwe. you can find out more below
http://harare.usembassy.gov/policy_explain.html

It seems you believe in the myth of 'targeted sanctions.' Do you believe in smart bombs too?

I have traveled extensively in both Zimbabwe and Sudan - the countries that you believe have not suffered because sanctions were 'targeted at individuals or entities.'

Try telling that to the Mama Mboga on the road to Mutare who could not sell me her tomatoes because there were no dollar bills anywhere to make change, after Zimbabwe dollarized. Or the amjad driver in Khartoum who now suddenly can't work because the price of petrol doubled overnight. Both events were directly or indirectly caused by sanctions that were apparently meant to hurt only the leaders.

As Kenyans are about to learn, there is no such thing as targeted sanctions. The people targeted can easily shrug them off while the poor, who are collateral, can't.