Isaac Ruto's 'defense' of devolution gets backing

 

PHOTO | FILE Bomet Governor and chairman of the Council of Governors Isaac Ruto with his Nairobi counterpart Evans Kidero during a recent press conference in Nairobi. Led by Mandera governor Ali Roba who was elected in a URP ticket said Mr Ruto’s defense of devolution was a result of being chairman of council of governors.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By LUCAS BARASA lbarassa@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, July 28  2013 at  13:13

 

Governors have defended their chairman Isaac Ruto against claims that he was being used to undermine the Jubilee administration.

Led by Mandera governor Ali Roba who was elected in a URP ticket said Mr Ruto’s defense of devolution was a result of being chairman of council of governors.

“He speaks on behalf of governors including those from Jubilee. He does not speak on his own behalf. What he says has nothing to do with party loyalty or patriotism but interest of all Kenyans for success of devolution,” Mr Roba told the Nation before leaving for a visit to South Africa.

The combative governor has been lately on the warpath accusing the national government of frustrating devolution.

Mr Roba said it is the moral obligation of all the 47 governors to ensure devolution works for the country, a thing that would also help the Jubilee administration fulfill its promises to Kenyans.

“For Mandera population they feel if there’s no devolution there’s no life,” Mr Roba said and told MPs to stop verbal attacks on Mr Ruto.

He said there’s no mismanagement of funds in the counties as perceived is some quarters as the national government was yet to release money to the devolved units.

Mr Roba said counties had only drawn their budgets and that in case of misuse it would be detected by auditor general who is mandated to ensure fiscal discipline in the counties.

“What we are hearing now about misuse of resources is just speculation. We have an obligation to deliver services to the public and claims of governors fighting for recognition or lavish spending are misplaced,” Mr Roba said.

He said since devolution was a new a system, it has to have a set up cost and that some of the allocations like those for purchase of vehicles were one-off and could not recur in subsequent years.

Mr Roba said Kenya should look at how other countries had initiated devolution including structures and “compare from national perspective.”

He said the county government should be given “fair” chance to set up structures for the country to realize its goals of achieving double digit growth by strengthening devolution.

Mr Roba denied claims that some counties have no capacity to handle functions like health saying “that is what devolution sought to address after some areas were marginalized since independence.”

“Those saying we have no capacity are admitting that for the last 50 years the national government has had no capacity to develop all areas. That is the case,” Mr Roba said.

Mr Roba called for speedy transfer of functions to counties as per constitution to bridge the gap in health and roads which some areas have lacked since independence.

He said the constitution only required those seeking gubernatorial positions to have at least a degree and that the governors have what it takes to manage the counties.

“It is for the best interest of the national government to make sure it supports devolution as after Kenya is one and there’s no geographical boundary earmarked as national government land. It is the 47 county governments that form Kenya,” Mr Roba said.

He said for President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to realize the Jubilee manifesto they should support devolution and let governors work for them.
Jubilee MPs especially from URP have been up in arms against the Bomet governors stand on devolution, accusing him of wanting to create another centre of power in Kalenjin Rift Valley, using his powerful position as chairman of the council of governors.