By FRANCIS ONTOMWA

A cross-section of leaders from Western region have accused the Government of an alleged secret ploy to kill the devolved governments.

The leaders criticised President Uhuru Kenyatta’s move to approve the contentious Division of Revenue Bill, a move they say will have far-reaching implications on the new system of governance.

Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale, former MP Cyrus Jirongo, and former Nairobi town clerk Philip Kisia  have likened the recent ‘stabs’ on devolution to events of 1963 when the country attained independence.

“I have said a number of times that development will only be realised if money trickles down to the grassroots, devolution is the key but sadly politics seems to have stolen the show,” said Khalwale.

The former Ikolomani legislator accused first timers in Parliament of lacking rational legislative experience and colluding with the executive to frustrate devolution.

Khalwale also accused the president of employing the ‘tyranny of numbers’ in the National Assembly to ‘kill’ devolution.

‘’President Uhuru is using legislators affiliated to his Jubilee wing and inexperienced first timers to pass bills in Parliament that adversely undermine devolution, it is appalling and unacceptable,” he said, adding that counties should be properly funded if devolution is to take off at expected velocity and benefit Kenyans.

Earlier, Senate had proposed Sh258 billion for devolution but National Assembly presented the Bill to the president without reference to the senate who assented and its implementation will see county governments lose about Sh48 billion.

Kisia said depriving counties funds for development was a warped decision and one that was in sharp contravention of the Constitution that Kenyans voted for overwhelmingly.

Jirongo said the gains made by the country since independence was directly tied to devolution and wondered why the current regime had failed to notice this.

‘’The Government wants to kill counties just like it happened when the country attained independence, ” said Jirongo.

Khalwale said Senate would defend the role of counties as provided for in the Constitution adding that the executive must get priorities right.

Youth leaders Alex Khamasi, Rashid Mohammed and Ben Ombima charged at this year’s national budget arguing that it had explicitly pressed hard low income earners.

The leaders made the remarks at Matioli village, Shinyalu constituency, Kakamega County, at a public