Rutto warns over failure of counties to deliver

By Roselyne Obala

Nairobi, Kenya: The Governor’s Council Chairman Isaac Rutto has warned that counties might not discharge their duties effectively if the national government remains non-committed to devolution.

Rutto was speaking on phone after The Standard exclusively obtained a report that shows that the national government is not keen to facilitate decentralisation of State organs, their functions and services to counties.

“We are concernd and in shock that even after President Uhuru Kenyatta promised to support devolution, nothing is forthcoming,” he noted.

Mr Rutto said this is all the more reason they will stick to the planned national referendum to ensure devolution attains its rightful meaning.

“We are even going to add more issues for the referendum. This government is engaging in lip service and not supporting us,” he maintained.

He took issue with President Uhuru whom he challenged for not keeping his campaign pledge to ensure the full implementation of devolution.

Rutto, who spoke to The Standard on phone, reiterated that the Jubilee Government should allocate 45 per cent of the revenue to counties.

“We do not want tokens, taking charge of counties is not decentralisation but transfer of power, functions and funds to ensure counties are adequately facilitated.”

The report is due to be made public by the governors on Wednesday in Nairobi.

“County governments should have reliable sources of revenue to facilitate effective governance and delivery of services to Kenyans,” he stressed.

The Bomet Governor accused the Head of State of taking the governors for a ride.

“He assured us that county functions were to be devolved by July 1, which is yet to be. He also assured us that the management of roads will be handed over to counties as a matter of urgency,” noted Ruto.

Usain Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago also took issue with the national government and counties undertaking the same programs.

“It doesn’t make sense when the ministries put press adverts for tenders of programs that fall under the counties,” he said.

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi Muhammad said in Wajir, records show there are 100 nurses employed by Government, but there are none on the ground.