Governors says referendum push on

Kajiado, Kenya: Two governors have said their push for national referendum was still on despite the withdrawal of some of their colleagues from the bid.

Kajiado Governor David ole Nkedienye and his Kisumu counterpart Jack Ranguma said although they respect the views of those who have pulled out of the campaign, they still supported calls for a plebiscite.

Nkedienye said the referendum was the most appropriate way to compel the national government to disburse more funds to the counties.

The leaders spoke when the Council of Governors' Agriculture Committee met in Nyeri yesterday.

"I respect the position taken by some of our colleagues, but I still support the push for a referendum," said Nkedienye.

Ranguma said increasing allocations to the county governments is the only way through which devolution could succeed. Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua accused CORD of hijacking the referendum calls.