Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto: Calls for public vote not political

 

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has dismissed claims that he is spearheading the Pesa Mashinani referendum campaign for political mileage as he could be nursing presidential ambitions.

He said the allegations that he was also angling to be a running mate in the 2017 presidential elections in 2017 were false, describing them as an "insidious campaign of calumny and blackmail."

"For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to state in clear and unambiguous terms that I'm not interested in, and I'm not nursing any presidential or vice-presidential ambitions," said Ruto, adding that the referendum push was a Council of Governors' decision.

He said if the Government agreed to release Sh120 billion it was withholding, the governors would reconsider their decision to go for the referendum as the money they were asking for was already budgeted in the 2014-2015 financial year.

"While some key functions and services have been devolved, the funds to support these functions at the county remain with the national government," said Ruto.