Governor, MCAs change tune on vote

Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat and his entire County Assembly on Tuesday went against Jubilee’s stand on the referendum and threw their weight behind the push for a national vote to change the Constitution.

In the dramatic turn of events, Mr Lagat said Jubilee governors supporting the referendum call were ready to ship out of the ruling coalition if that was the price of fighting to have more funds allocated to counties.

“I am not a civil servant to be intimidated by calls to resign. I serve the electorate and all that we are demanding is adequate funds for delivery of quality services,” said the governor.

Mr Lagat also claimed that some young senators had been hired to undermine his leadership and frustrate his drive for the referendum.

The governor, elected on Deputy President William Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP) ticket, made the announcement in the company of his deputy, Mr Dominic Biwott, and 26 county representatives outside the Assembly.

Assembly Majority Leader Samuel Sawe and Chief Whip Wilson Sang also joined in the referendum chorus.

NOT ANSWERABLE

In a strongly-worded statement, Mr Lagat charged that rebel URP governors were not answerable to President Kenyatta or his deputy Mr Ruto, but to the people who voted them into office.

He added that they would not be intimidated into dropping their referendum call.

“Jubilee governors are not undermining President Kenyatta and his deputy Mr Ruto, and we are not going after their seats as they have been made to believe. But come rain or sunshine, we shall defend the call for a referendum to have more monies sent to the counties,” he said.

President Kenyatta has challenged Jubilee governors campaigning for a referendum to resign and seek re-election on a different ticket.

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto are opposed to the referendum push by governors, arguing that the government was financing counties beyond the constitutional requirement of 15 per cent.

On Tuesday, Mr Lagat questioned the source of funds “young senators are using to fly around the country attacking governors while some of them did not even own cars before the election but are now donating as much as Sh500,000 at harambees”.

“Some of these young senators are flying to Nandi County weekly with more than 10 helicopters to incite voters against the governor whom they accuse of being used to bring down Deputy President Ruto whom I campaigned for last time and whom I’m ready to campaign for next time,” said the county boss.

He said the money the senators were using to fly all over Kenya should be used to fund the education of needy children, and the health and agriculture sectors.

CORRUPTION

Senators Kipchumba Murkomen, Stephen Sang and Kithure Kindiki — who is also the Senate Majority Leader — and his National Assembly counterpart Aden Duale, have been campaigning against calls for the referendum.

Mr Lagat said instead of the senators accusing governors of corruption, they should explain how they had acquired millions of shillings that they donate at fundraisers.

“Nandi County Assembly elected MCAs, except those nominated by the URP, fully support the referendum… they are ready to quit the Jubilee government and don’t fear any consequences,” added the governor.