The Building Bridges Initiative will suffer the fate of the Punguza Mizigo Bill if it does not address county development issues, Governor Kiraitu Murungi has warned.
Speaking yesterday during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kinoru Stadium, Mr Kiraitu said governors would reject a report by the task-force if it failed to capture counties' interests.
“We will read it very keenly. But if it does not (recommend) addition of funds to grassroots, we will shoot it down,” he said.
In Homa Bay, county government officials failed to show up for celebrations that were held at Sero Polytechnic. Only Homa Bay Central MCA Julius Nyambok was at the function.
County Commissioner Harman Shambi called for unity between officials in national and county governments.
Deputy County Commissioner Kimutai Ng’eny said county government officials should have attended the event to inform residents of their development plans.
In the South Rift, the day was marked by calls from leaders for the Government to beef up security in areas affected by cattle rustling, and tame rising incidents of suicide and sex crimes.
Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi challenged security agencies to work with local leaders to find a lasting solution to insecurity.
“There is no way we can develop when our people are being killed by bandits. The national government should make sure that our security personnel are well equipped,” he said.
Kericho County Commissioner Moses Mbaruku expressed concern over rising suicide cases.
Speaking at Kapkatet Stadium in Bureti Constituency, Mr Mbaruku revealed that at least 12 people were taking their own lives every month.
Governor Paul Chepkwony, who was chief guest, spoke of the historical injustices meted against members of the Talai clan and Kipsigis community by the British colonial government.
In the neighbouring Bomet County, County Commissioner Geoffrey Omonding warned that there had been an alarming rise in rape and defilement cases in the region.
He told residents who attended the Mashujaa Day event in Konoin that police would deal harshly with suspects to curb the menace.
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In Nyandarua County, Governor Francis Kimemia said his administration would start paying for the health insurance of all freedom fighters.
“These are our heroes and we should take care of them. My government will ensure that they do not pay even a penny when they get hospitalised. We will provide them with free insurance services,” he announced at Tumaini Primary School.
Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o said his administration would name Ring Road, which connects Kachok and Nyalenda, after Baby Samantha Pendo, who, aged six months, became the face of the bloody 2017 post-election violence after she was clobbered to death by policemen.
The event was marked by calls to consider the plight of small-scale traders who were recently evicted from the town centre to pave way for a city-wide rehabilitation exercise.
Prof Nyong'o said the county government was exploring a number of projects to improve the traders' working conditions.
"We will construct a 10,000-capacity small traders' commercial centre. The process is at an advanced stage," he said.
In Garissa, Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane said they would support the BBI report. Mr Dagane was speaking at Garissa Primary School.
Elsewhere, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui led celebrations in Naivasha town for the first time - going against a long-held tradition of holding the event at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru town.
[Phares Mutembei, Abdimalik Hajir, Harold Odhiambo, James Omoro, James Munyeki, Kennedy Gachuhi and Antony Gitonga]
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