By NIKKO TANUI
Kericho, Kenya: Members of Kericho County Assembly have thrown weight behind calls for a referendum to increase counties revenue allocation to 40 per cent.
Speaking in Kericho, Londiani Ward Representative Jackson Kikwai said 36 out of the 47 members of the county assembly were in support of the referendum crusade to force the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to constitutionally increase revenue allocation to the counties.
“We have made consultation with the electorates at the grass root and they told us they are in support of the referendum calls to review the constitution and amend the clause on the revenue allocation in order to increase the allocation of funds to go towards the development agenda in the counties”, he said.
Cheruiyot Bett of Ainamoi Ward said they fully support devolution and that the government must increase funds to the counties.
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“During the campaigns, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto pledged that Jubilee Government would fully implement devolution. Its time has come and if there is no other way to do it, then so be it, let us go for a referendum” he said.
Francis Terer of Cheboin ward said it was within their democratic right to demand the full implementation of devolution.
He at the same time demanded that the central government immediately devolve all functions that are yet to be handed over to the county governments.
Other MCAs who spoke during the press conference included Bett Hillary (Kapkatet), William Kipkurui Byegon (Kapsoit) Kipngeno Ruto (Cheplanget) John Sang (Kabianga) Geoffrey Bii (Nominated) among others.
