Senators, MPs snub Council of Governors event

Most senators and MPs skipped the opening ceremony of the third Annual Devolution Conference in Meru as the frosty relations between them and governors worsened.

The legislators, who accuse governors of corruption and incurring huge and unjustified debts, made good their threat to boycott the event organised by the Council of Governors (GoG).

President Uhuru Kenyatta was expected to officially open the conference, but instead sent Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri.

From the Senate, only Speaker Ekwee Ethuro and three nominated members, Dr Agnes Zani, Mrs Zipporah Kittony and Ms Godliver Omondi attended the opening ceremony at the Meru National Polytechnic.

'PRESIDENT MISADVISED'

The National Assembly only had Tigania West MP David Kariithi in attendance.

However, MCAs from across the country attended in their numbers.

Before his address, CoG chairman and Meru Governor Peter Munya called out the names of lawmakers present so they could be recognised.

Governors and MCAs said the senators have proved that they are against devolution by failing to attend the conference, has cost CoG Sh130 million.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Samuel Ragwa said President Kenyatta may have been misadvised about the conference.

The President was expected to join Namibian Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa at the opening ceremony.

Mr Ragwa said the conference was open to all the leaders since it is discussing issues of national  interest.

The governor also accused senators of failing in their constitutional roles.

“The conference seems to have been politicised. I believe some people have misadvised the President. We expected him,  but it seems he listened to the wrong advice because this is not a governors’-only conference,” Mr Ragwa said.

“The senators seem to be fighting their own wars. They have failed to understand their constitutional mandate. They should have come to the conference and raised their concerns,” he said.