KERICHO COUNTY: Council of Governor Chairman Isaac Ruto has dismissed Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen's claims that County Assemblies intend to allocate Sh22 million each for Pesa Mashinani campaigns.
Speaking during a fundraiser at Seretut Primary School in Belgut constituency in Kericho County, Ruto who was accompanied by Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony dismissed the claims as farfetched and figment of Murkomen's imagination.
"We dare Kenyans of goodwill to look at the counties revised supplementary budgets. There is no provision for referendum," he said.
He termed Murkomen's claims not only as farfetched but malicious calculation aimed at inciting members of the public against ward representatives and governors so as to negate the Pesa Mashinani campaigns.
"Murkomen should know that the people in Counties do not need any inducement to vote for the Pesa Mashinani referendum sponsored by the Council of Governors," he said.
The Bomet Governor claimed that the team that is going to spearhead the governors' call for Pesa Mashinani is composed of volunteers who are going to spare their time and resources for the sake of the country.
Ruto also rubbished claims that constitution amendment would lead to higher tax burden on Kenyans.
"For instance in the current budget, the national government is retaining Sh120 billion which ought to have been released to the counties yet to functions meant for the funds have been devolved but the money hasn't," he said.
He wondered why President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto administration was frustrating devolution whereas governors are not asking money for defence, police and education department among others.
"We are simply asking for money to follow the functions that have been devolved," he said.
On his part Chepkwony argued that a referendum is inevitable since land, forest management among other issues that had led a section of Kenyans to vote "NO" in the 2010 referendum were yet to be addressed.
He added that the fight to force jubilee government to increase revenue allocation to the counties through a referendum should not be construed to mean that likeminded governors are trying to undermine the government and they have to quit jubilee.
"To support the calls for Pesa Mashinani is not to fight anyone. I am going to be in Jubilee until President Uhuru Kenyatta completes his two terms and Deputy President William Ruto takes over the reins of power," he said.
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