Ruto: I am leaving post with my head held high

What you need to know:

  • Mr Ruto spoke of the highs and lows of his two terms, which ended last month. He leaves the position later this month.
  • Mr Ruto said one of his greatest achievements is ensuring devolution is implemented and helping establish systems to enable county governments operate effectively.

Governor Isaac Ruto, who is set to relinquish the leadership of the Council of Governors, is confident he executed his mandate effectively.

“I am a true champion of devolution,” the Bomet governor said during an interview with the Nation at his Tumoi home in Chepalungu Sunday.

Mr Ruto spoke of the highs and lows of his two terms, which ended last month. He leaves the position later this month.

Although he would exit the hot seat, Mr Ruto said he would still champion the Pesa Mashinani drive.

The Council of Governors will call a special convention to elect a new chairman. Mr Ruto is not eligible for re-election, having completed his two terms.

Mr Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), the council’s vice-chairman Salim Mvurya, Mr Ahmed Abdullahi Mohammed (Wajir), Mr Peter Munya (Meru) and Dr Evans Kidero (Nairobi) have been named as possible successors.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Mr Ruto said one of his greatest achievements is ensuring devolution is implemented and helping establish systems to enable county governments operate effectively.
“This was done despite a lot of resistance,” he said.

“Apparently, a lot of leaders in the National Assembly and the Senate compared the county governments to the defunct local authorities. We put up a strong fight to dispel that notion,” he said.
He is disappointed that budgetary allocations for counties was not increased by at least 45 per cent.

“One of my lowest moments was listening to the National Government propagating lies with an aim of creating hostility towards county governance,’’ he said.

The governor said rationalisation of staff, who worked for the local authorities, was a big headache.

Mr Ruto said he expects the new chairman to push for the devolvement of certain functions such as the management of roads.