Governor Kabogo ditches referendum calls, says he cannot disobey President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kiambu Governor William Kabogo (right) talks with the head of AIPCA church in Kenya Amos Mathenge Kabuthu (centre) and the AIPCA chair lady of the Women Council Mrs Rachel Mwaura during the opening of the Women's conference at Chania Boys School in Thika on Wednesday. [PHOTO BY KAMAU MAICHUHIE/STANDARD]

KIAMBU COUNTY: Kiambu governor William Kabogo has distanced himself from the push for a referendum by his fellow governors saying it has been politicised and is ill timed.

Mr Kabogo said his decision not to support the referendum is as a result of extensive consultations with the people of Kiambu who he said unanimously affirmed they are against the proposed referendum.

He further said that he would not go against the wish of the president and his government adding he has a duty to abide by its decisions.

"The people of Kiambu are totally against the push for a national referendum both by governors and the opposition. As their servant leader I have to follow their wishes. Besides, if the president has said no to the push for the referendum, who is Kabogo to say yes," Kabogo posed.

The governor however said the governors may be having a valid reason to push for the increment of cash allocations from the national government but said other avenues can be used to achieve the same.

He said counties are in serious need of more money to satisfactory fund their budgets and in this regard asked the President through parliament to intervene and ensure revenue allocation to counties is permanently caped at 45 percent.

"That more money is needed in the counties in not in doubt. The counties need more money to enable them be able to give effective services to the people," he said.

Kabogo also distanced himself from his recent inclusion in the 15 member committee of the governors caucus aimed at steering the referendum process.

He said he was named in the committee while in an official visit to United States of America(USA) with the president without his consultation.

Pressure has been mounting for the governor to declare publicly his stand over the push for a national referendum by his fellow governors more being the governor of the president who is himself against the plebiscite.

Kabogo made the remarks at Chania boys High School in Thika on Wednesday where he was the Chief Guest during the opening ceremony of Central Kenya African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) annual women council conference.

The governor accused MPs of fighting devolution though laws and amendments that are aimed at depriving counties of more cash.

He singled out a case in which the National Assembly on Tuesday took away Sh3.4 billion from governors through an amendment to the constitution.

The more than 250 MPs on Tuesday amended Article 204 paving the way for the equalization fund to fall under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which is managed by the MPs.

He said the MPs should be ready to take the blame should the government fail to win the referendum since they have failed to enact the necessary pieces of legislations required to cushion the people against poverty and high standards of living.

"The referendum push can go either way. Should the government loose it the MPs should be ready to take the blame since they are the ones who have failed to enact laws instrumental uplifting the living standards of the people," the governor said

Governors recently launched their 10 point referendum plan dubbed 'Pesa Mashinani' Kiswahili for money to the grass roots which key among other seeks to increase cash allocations at 45 per cent from the current 15 per cent provided for by the constitution.

The head of AIPCA church in Kenya Arch-Bishop Amos Mathenge Kabuthu called on the church and Kenyans to pray for the country in the wake of heightened insecurity and political activities.

He said the country is facing myriad of challenges that need God's intervention to overcome them.