Deputy President William Ruto, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale clash over county funds

Deputy President William Ruto (left) with former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi  during a  homecoming party for Navakholo MP David Wangwe at Chebuyusi Primary School in Kakamega County, Sunday. [PHOTO: DPPS]

By Luke Anami and Alex Namuliro

KENYA: Deputy President William Ruto clashed with Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale over calls for referendum to increase funding to counties.

Mr Ruto, who presided over a function at Butali Sugar Factory in Kabras, where he issued a cheque of Sh462 million for infrastructure development, had to respond to Khalwale over the referendum issue. Dr Khalwale had criticised the government for starving counties of cash.

However, former Deputy President Musalia Mudavadi threw his weight behind Ruto, saying funds can be increased from the current 15 per cent to 40 per cent without holding a referendum.

 “The formula used by Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA) say the factors that determine amount given to each county are population, poverty index and size of the county, among others. It does not include allowances to governor,” Khalwale said. He said the government should stop misleading Governors over allowances, as they were not part of the CRA formula.

“I have been following this debate on devolution; it’s not a child’s play. There are two people involved; those who enjoyed resources from the central government and those who suffered. Those who enjoyed resources for 50 years cannot understand the suffering of a poor man,” Khalwale argued.

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“The poverty in Nandi is not different from the poverty in Kakamega. Let there be enough money in counties. Do not oppose because we want money in the counties for development,” Khalwale said.

He further said people in government should not use the new structure to embezzle funds.

Chase car

However, Ruto said calls for referendum are baseless and counties should first use funds available before complaining.

“Your senator is my friend but sometimes we tussle. What the senator has said is good. Devolution is not about someone being called his Excellency or having a chase car. Devolution is to have development at the grassroots,” Ruto said.

He said funds allocated to Kakamega County to the tune of Sh7.3 billion are more than what constituencies got through constituency development fund. “We want governors to show us how they have spent the money given to them. Before we go for a referendum, let’s first know what we have done with the money,” Ruto explained.

He further dismissed politicians who are calling for a referendum to change the system of government from presidential to parliamentary system.