Ruto and governor differ on vote push
What you need to know:
- Mr Murkomen said it beats logic for governors to threaten the Jubilee administration with a referendum when asked to account for funds that were allocated to them.
- However, Governor Ruto said the push for a referendum should not be misconstrued to mean that leaders were undermining the Jubilee administration. He said governors also welcomed the proposal to increase funds through Parliament.
Leaders from the Rift Valley differed in public on the push for a referendum at a function presided over by Deputy President William Ruto.
One faction that supported the referendum calls was led by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and the other by a section of locals MPs. The Deputy President supported the MPs.
Problems at the event held at the St Joseph’s Marinyin Catholic Church started when Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen criticised governors pushing for referendum to increase allocation to counties.
Mr Murkomen said it beats logic for governors to threaten the Jubilee administration with a referendum when asked to account for funds that were allocated to them.
“We never passed the Constitution to create lords of villages or create big men syndrome at the grassroots levels but rather leaders who are servants of the people” said the Senator.
UNDERMINING JUBILEE
However, Governor Ruto said the push for a referendum should not be misconstrued to mean that leaders were undermining the Jubilee administration. He said governors also welcomed the proposal to increase funds through Parliament.
“But if it will be a hide and seek game, then governors will not relent whatsoever in their fight,” he said.
The Deputy President cautioned governors against being misused by opposition leaders “who have not yet accepted that they lost the 2013 elections.”
“This is a push by Raila Odinga because he lost elections,” said the Deputy President.
