Stop propaganda, governors tell Rift MPs

By GILBERT KIMUTAI

Bomet, Kenya: Governors’ Council Chairman Isaac Ruto and Narok Governor Samuel Tunai have told Rift Valley MPs to stop spreading propaganda aimed at causing a wedge between them and Deputy President William Ruto.

Speaking at Sotik in Bomet County over the weekend, the governors affirmed their support for Ruto adding MPs had misunderstood their stand.

“There is no need for squabbles between the leaders of the two governments because as Jubilee we agreed to fully embrace devolution and allocate more resources to county governments,” Ruto said.

He added: “It is important for leaders to come together and talk. Let us join hands in solving problems affecting the people and avoid unnecessary political statements and differences when electioneering time is so far away.”

Tunai said governors from Rift Valley respected the Deputy President and that MPs were waging a political war against the leaders of county governments using Ruto’s name.

The governors said the push for increased allocation of resources to the counties was informed by need to fast track development projects in rural areas.

Pre-election promises

Governor Ruto said there is need for agreement between the national and county governments in the infrastructural development of schools and bursaries for needy children admitted to secondary schools and tertiary institutions. “The education sector has not been devolved yet parents are demanding that county governments must construct classrooms, laboratories, toilets, dormitories and allocate bursaries to needy students,” he said.

However, the Deputy President assured the governors that the Jubilee coalition was committed to devolution and would implement all pre-election promises within the shortest time possible.