ODM to block county bosses’ cash

ODM has renewed the battle against the appointment of county commissioners, promising to block funds for the new officials in Parliament.

The party will shoot down budgetary estimates to finance the operations of the new appointees, according to Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo.

“We will deny President Kibaki money to finance his unconstitutional officials. We shall comb the budgetary estimates thoroughly to ensure nothing is hidden in it,” he said.

Speaking during a funeral in Ugenya constituency at the weekend, the Gem MP said that a few individuals, including the President, were working to deny Kenyans the benefits of devolution.

He urged the mourners to reject county commissioners in their regions and instead work with district commissioners.

Mr Midiwo also claimed the appointment of the county commissioners was a plan to rig the next General Election. (READ: House team rejects new county bosses)

Last Friday, the President, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and other leaders attended a forum on peaceful elections in Mombasa.

Mr Midiwo welcomed the move, but asked the three leaders to do more than just meet to prevent a repeat of the 2007/08 post-election violence.

“The President should accept that things have changed and stop forcing county commissioners down our throats.

“If he is sincere about free and fair elections, why can’t he withdraw the appointment yet he has heard several complaints?” he asked.

Fundamental matter

“County Commissioners are nothing but people being used to rig the next elections. We won’t accept that.”

The lawmaker said this was not an ODM affair, but a “national and fundamental matter” and called upon every MP who believed in reforms, including those in PNU and its affiliates, to reject the estimates when they are brought to Parliament for approval.

Last week, Mr Midiwo alleged that the appointment of the commissioners was meant to benefit certain tribes as he pointed out that 14 out of the 47 commissioner were from one tribe.

“Kenya has 42 tribes and it raises a lot of questions why most of the appointees have to come from the Kikuyu tribe,” he had said.

Controversial move

President Kibaki recently named the county commissioners in a move that has become controversial with ODM MPs led by party leader Odinga, rejecting the appointments, claiming that he had not been consulted.

However, the President has maintained that he acted within the law and used his powers as provided for in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The commissioners have since reported to their respective stations and even officiated during the Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1 and read the President’s speech.