Ruto cannot be trusted on devolution – Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Murithi
Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Murithi has taken a swipe at Deputy President William Ruto accusing him of an earlier attempt to sabotage devolution. The county head poured cold water on the DP's recent declaration to pump money into the devolved units if elected President.
In a statement to newsrooms, Ndiritu who is the head of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga’s campaign team, said Ruto was against the move to have 35 percent of the national revenue allocated to counties.
"Last November, in my capacity as the chair of the Council of Governors Finance and Budget Committee, I had the privilege of attending a meeting of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), chaired by Deputy President William Ruto," Ndiritu said.
The governor says that DP Ruto flatly rejected the last push and plea by governors to have the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) adopt the position that counties be allocated 35 percent of the national revenue.
"I am therefore appalled, indeed horrified by media reports that Ruto is now promising to increase allocation to counties to 35 percent of the national revenue," the governor said.
According to Ndiritu, devolution is too important to be discussed through politics of deception, lies, omission, distortion, propaganda and misdirection.
"As I have said before, Devolution is on the ballot in the August 2022 election. I challenge the Deputy President to come out openly and address Kenyans on where he stands on the question of increasing allocation to counties. He opposed it in the BBI. He also opposed the 2010 Constitution that gave birth to devolution," Ndiritu said.
According to the governor, the amount of money allocated to each level of government is too important to be taken over by politics of deceit and roadside declarations that Deputy President is practicing.
"As things stand today, Kenyans must treat Ruto as an enemy of Devolution and a strong believer in a centralized political system that will force communities to lead delegations to his home to pledge loyalty in return for handouts," the governor said.
