Speaker and Governor Ruto clash over Sh5.6bn budget
What you need to know:
- Mr Korir on Monday vowed to ensure his memorandum seeking a review of the estimates does not end up in the assembly for deliberation.
- The Speaker said the governor has a habit of opposing budgets approved by the assembly, citing last year’s case.
- Governor Ruto said the budget approved by the MCAs’ would deny residents development while funding the ward reps’ lavish lifestyles.
A war of words has erupted between Bomet County Speaker Geoffrey Korir and Governor Isaac Ruto over the latter’s decision to oppose the Sh5.6 billion budget approved by ward reps last week.
Mr Korir on Monday expressed disappointment with the county chief’s decision and vowed to ensure his memorandum seeking a review of the estimates does not end up in the assembly for deliberation.
The Speaker said the governor has a habit of opposing budgets approved by the assembly, citing last year’s case. The governor, however, rescinded the decision following the intervention of the High Court.
“The governor is fond of raising memorandums to reject budgets approved by the county assembly. I urge him to engage the assembly directly, instead of going to various media houses to oppose the approved budget,” the Speaker told the Nation on Monday.
Mr Korir said it is sad that the governor has directed Finance Executive Peter Koros to draft a memorandum to the assembly seeking amendments to the budget estimates.
Governor Ruto had raised concern, saying the budget approved by the MCAs’ would deny residents development while funding the ward reps’ lavish lifestyles.
He said the county assembly had allocated itself more than Sh600 million and reduced funding to key ministries.
“It is ridiculous that the county assembly members can allocate themselves funds of that magnitude at the expense of development. If they are not going to make any changes, then the 2016/2017 financial year development programmes are doomed,” said the governor.
However, the Speaker on Monday defended the assembly’s decision to pass the budget, saying it was in line with the Commission on Revenue Allocation ceilings.
He said it is unrealistic for Dr Koros to attempt to raise a memorandum on budget estimates that have already been passed.
“I want to challenge them to tell the county assembly which section of the law gives them the authority to do that.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by Mr Julius Korir, a member of the assembly’s Budget and Appropriation Committee.
