Ruto: Jubilee ready to engage governors over county funds

The Jubilee administration has shown signs of softening its stance on the push to have more funds devolved to the counties.

Deputy President (DP) William Ruto has urged governors supporting the referendum push to embrace dialogue.

The DP, accompanied by four senators and seven MPs allied to Jubilee, told the governors the Government was ready to engage with them over increased allocation through transparent and open dialogue.

Speaking during a fund raiser at Sacred Heart Kieni Primary School in Embu County yesterday, Ruto said the Government has structures for intergovernmental relations such as the summit, where it can engage with the county bosses.

Ruto, however, dismissed the Opposition’s incessant drive to hold a referendum purportedly to bring more money to counties, saying the country cannot be built on a vision of chasing money. “All the money with the county and national government belongs to the taxpayers and should be used to benefit citizens. No one should drive a wedge between Kenyans. You won’t change the nation when you have no ideas, no visions, no programmes, no agenda but all you want is more money,” he said.

Senators Lenny Kivuti (Embu), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi), Mohamed Kuti (Isiolo) and nominated Senator Fatuma Dulo said they were opposed to a referendum. The MPs present, and who echoed Ruto’s sentiments and vowed to fight against a referendum, included Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes), John Muchiri (Manyatta), Muriuki Njagagua (Mbeere North), Muthomi Njuki (Chuka-IgambaNgomb’e), Rose Mitaru (Embu), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and Dido Ali Raso (Saku).

Kivuti accused Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) politicians, who he referred to as ‘jobless’ of trying to disrupt the Jubilee government to derail development.

The DP asked the governors to bear in mind that the Government was willing to engage them, and to consider the fact that more money was allocated to the counties this year. Murkomen said the Constitution provides for consultations and participation and asked governors to seek appointment with presidency to iron out their issues.

Njuki on her side asked the Government to crack the whip on their governors drumming support for a plebiscite by taking appropriate action against them.

Dulo said a referendum should not disrupt the term of the current government arguing that it should come during election time

Embu Governor Martin Wambora said they had seen the Government’s willingness to work with counties, thus opposing a referendum.

Good returns

Ruto said the Government had entered into discussions geared for partnerships between Kenya and European Union, meant to find more market for Kenya coffee and tea.

He said the Government was seeking ways to have farmers derive good returns from their crops and asked governors in tea growing zones to unite and eliminate brokers from their midst.

The DP said they were working to have tea and coffee farmers get access to subsidised fertilizer to improve their earnings to help fight poverty. He expressed optimism that the Government’s drive to tarmac and open up more access roads all over the country would greatly benefit farmers in taking their produce to the market in time.

The DP called for political tolerance in the country, saying all leaders, despite their political affiliations, should be given a chance to address Kenyans in all parts of the country.

Ruto reiterated that Jubilee wanted peace and would only compete with CORD for ideas on how to take the country forward and not on instigating violence.

He said the Government was optimistic that through the Uwezo fund, youths would open up businesses and eliminate poverty.

He said the Government was determined to rid off inequalities in access to opportunities to all Kenyans citing that they had added Sh10billion to free secondary education and scrapped national exam fees.