Account for funds, county bosses told

Deputy President William Ruto has told governors pushing for a referendum for increasing allocation to counties to first account for what they were given.

Mr Ruto on Sunday said it was unfair for governors to ask for more money for their regions yet they had refused to honour summonses to appear before the Senate to explain their expenditures.

The county bosses want the allocation to regional governments increased from 15 per cent of the national revenue to 45 per cent.

Speaking in Kisii County where he attended a funds drive at St John Nyabuito Catholic Church in Nyaribari Chache constituency, Mr Ruto said the Constitution requires public officials to be accountable on how they use funds.

“You cannot tell us that you want the State to allocate you more public funds to use as you please and if asked to explain how this has been done you threaten us with a referendum,” he said.

'REFUSED TO GO'

He claimed that governors did not want to account to the Senate, the National Assembly, the County Assembly, the Controller of Budget and the Auditor-General.

“Some of those who have been pushing for this referendum have been summoned to explain how they have used the resources and have refused to go.

“You cannot have the moral authority to ask for more funds yet you cannot account for what you already have.”

He told the county bosses that the government was not asking them for a favour when seeking explanation on funds.

“Every leader must be accountable to the people.”

He said the government had increased allocation to counties by Sh40 billion without a referendum.

He said leaders should focus on development and ensuring that the lives of Kenyans are made better.