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Murimi Mutiga and DPPS

Irate Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja yesterday told off Deputy President William Ruto over call on the county leadership to sort out differences amicably without resorting to dissolution of the devolved unit. 

Samboja said he does not need advice from Ruto on how to go about the budget tussle between him and Members of the County Assembly.

Speaking in Wundanyi during the burial of Dickson Mwashuke, the governor accused Ruto of “disrespect and engaging in divisive politics”.

“We respect the DP but he must respect us. That is why since I began the campaign to dissolve the county, I have not stepped into his office.

We have the formula to resolve our issues, our petition will be taken to the President and not Ruto. What the President will say is what we will follow,” he said. 

Samboja claimed Ruto had insulted the residents of Taita Taveta by allegedly saying the signature collection was an exercise in futility and leaders should sit down and dialogue instead of wasting time shuttling from one office to another in Nairobi, clamouring to have the county dissolved.

“I have been elected by the people of Taita Taveta and I will not accept anyone to insult us,” Samboja said.

The governor, who gave Ruto’s Sunday visit to the county a wide berth, said he supports President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Handshake. 

His sentiments came even as Ruto stated that Taita Taveta county government would not be dissolved. 

Instead, he said, the leaders must find a way of working together even when they differ on ideas. Ruto said demanding accountability from county governments was not a way of undermining them.

“You must, therefore, play your oversight role with diligence,” he said yesterday in Voi when he held a meeting with 30  MCAs from the county, led by their Speaker Meshack Maganga.

“Democracy is about differing in ideas. But we must converge our thinking and embrace the best,” he said.

MCAs and their Speaker had petitioned Ruto to intervene in the wrangles facing the county, saying they are against the proposed dissolution of the devolved unit.