Duale, Ruto exchange bitter words before DP Ruto over referendum

NAROK COUNTY: Confrontation marred the Mara Day celebrations in Narok County Monday  after National Assembly Majority Leader Adan Duale clashed with Council of Governors Isaac Ruto over the Pesa Mashinani plebiscite in the presence of the Deputy president William Ruto.

The confrontation that elicited shouts and heckling from members of public erupted after the Duale told Ruto on the face that he failed to account for sh184 million meant for development of Bomet County.

Duale told Ruto who was seating pensively at the dias that; "Hii pesa ni ya Wakenya sio ya mama yako bwana. Hii pesa ya baba yako?" (These funds belong to Kenyans and it doesn't belong to you).

Duale, amid jeers from the audience, dismissed the push by governors for more allocations to counties saying this was an idea that Kenyans demanded for in 2010.

"The governors are not telling us anything new. When Kenyans promulgated the new constitution they were asking for more allocations to the counties and the governors should stop threatening us," he said.

Duale told Ruto, William Kabogo, Jack Ranguma and Muranga governor that they must appear before the Senate to answer accountability questions.

"You can run around the country, you can call for referendum but one day you will appear before the Senate. Isaac Ruto you must appear before the Senate," said a charged Duale.

Governor Ruto shot up immediately after Duale said he had failed to account for Sh184 million. It took of Narok Governor Samuel Tunai, his deputy Evelyn Aruasa, Senator Stephen Ntutu and County Commissioner Kassim Farah and DP security detail to contain Governor Ruto.

The DP and the Tanzanian delegation watched helplessly as the politicians tore into other.

Governor Ruto who had been invited to talk before Duale was cheered by the public as he took to the podium.

He insisted that they will not back down on their push and accused the Members of Parliament of failing to represent the people who elected them.

"Some of you MPs have been coming around and telling us that they represent the government. There are a lot of challenges facing the wanaichi and you come telling us to wait till 2017. Kama kuna taabu mingi mashinani na kuna nyinyi ambao mmeshiba Nairobi mnatuambia tungojee?" posed Ruto.

He said Kenyans asked for the new constitution because they wanted the resources of this country equitably.

"We never asked for a new constitution so as to put in a new class of leaders who never think about the needs of the people of Kenya. That is what we are going to tell you plainly. If you fail to do that Kenyans will do it themselves," said Ruto.

He accused the DP of lying to Kenyans that they have devolved roads yet the matter it is still at the Attorney General Chambers. He said the amount that Duale is talking about is what the national government has not paid to Bomet County as payment in lieu of rates.

When the DP took to the podium he cautioned leaders to be mindful of what they say and do because they lead millions of Kenyans.

He called them to be part of the solutions instead of inciting Kenyans against each other. He said they do not need any lecture from anybody so that more funds are sent to devolved units.

"We are aware that some governors have teamed up with the opposition so as to distract us from delivering on our campaign pledges. This is an exercise with a political agenda and not meant to improve the lives of Kenyans," said the DP.

The DP apologised to the Tanzanian delegation that all was well despite the altercations.