Isaac Ruto dares MPs over control of Sh3.4bn fund

Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto Saturday said the body would resist attempts by MPs to take over the management of the Sh3.4 billion fund for marginalised areas from counties to constituencies.

Mr Ruto said the decision by the MPs to lump equalisation fund together with the Constituency Development Fund was wrong and reminded the legislators that these are efforts in futility.
“Slashing of funds to the counties will have a ripple effect on the provision of basic services to the people at the grass root level,” the governor said.

He said they would not relent in their push to press the national government to have more funds devolved to the counties for the implementation of projects in the rural areas.

He told MPs advocating for “cuts” of these allocations that they would definitely face the wrath of the electorate.

“I want to remind the Parliament Leader of Majority Adan Duale and his colleagues that much as they have the tyranny of numbers to pass some of the motions in their favour, they should not to think the numbers in the House will assist them mess up the counties as the numbers of the people at the grass root level is massive,” he stated.

Speaking at the newly opened Longisa Mixed Day Secondary School, Mr Ruto dared MPs to “play that game and take way the monies and you will live to regret.”

Mr Ruto wondered why the MPs were against the spirit of devolution and at the same time expected meaningful development to be realized in their home turfs.

The chair said the gains of devolution which Kenyans have started enjoying the fruits should not be frustrated by MPs who play doublespeak when they are in their constituencies where they allegedly pretend to be for it and work against it while in Nairobi.

The former Chepalungu MP wondered how the MPs expected the Jubilee administration in its targeted goal to grow its economy by double digits when they are openly undermining the county governance.

Mr Ruto said there was need for the national government to devolve the development of infrastructure in both primary and public schools to the counties.

“Academic excellence would only be realised in learning institutions if the learners were provided with conducive atmosphere but not when they are learning in dilapidated structures,” he said.