Jubilee government will be judged on devolution come the 2017 elections, says Ruto

By FAITH RONOH

Governors’ Council chairman Isaac Ruto has warned that the Jubilee government would be judged on how it implements devolution come the 2017 elections.

Ruto, the Bomet County governor and a senior member of the Deputy President William Ruto’s URP has been spearheading a relentless push for full implementation of devolution.

“We will be judged based on how we fared in matters of devolution. When I speak the truth, others say I am making seditious statements. Where has that come from?” he posed.

Even though he declares that he is only one voicing the concerns of all governors, some MPs from Rift Valley have labelled him a critic and asked him to tone down what he says.

But he says it is unfortunate that people have been made to believe that politics dominates his sustained push for the implementation of devolution.

“I have no other ambition other than ensuring that devolution is implemented. This is part of my duties as the chair of the Council of Governors and that should be understood,” he told The Counties.

All means

His fight for devolution, he said, does not in any way undermine the Jubilee government quoting its slogan ‘Kusema na Kutenda’ that he emphasised should be championed at all costs.

“During the campaigns, we promised the electorate we would by all means implement the Constitution. We are now on the weighing scale; basically all eyes are on the Jubilee government,” said the governor.

“Personally, I do not want to participate in coining another slogan in future if we fail to implement what we promised before we went into the March 4 General Election,” he added.

“We are going on with the push for referendum. We will be meeting with the Senate to look at the draft amendments and we will also meet with all governors, senators and Speakers of the national government to discuss the amendments,” said Ruto.

Way forward

He added: “If we create consensus then we will draft the format of signatures. We will also meet all MPS who are in support of referendum and Members of the County Assembly to discuss way forward.”

This comes soon after CORD leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga declared his push for referendum to save devolution.

Though he maintains he has the right to seek a higher political post in future, Ruto emphasised that any ambition he may have is not in any way linked to the push for full implementation of devolution.

He said the push for constitutional amendments to safeguard 45 per cent of resources under the devolved systems will ensure counties are empowered in terms of resources to grow their economy.

 “What I am simply emphasising is that the country does not belong to the mighty because the real problem is with citizens living in acute poverty in villages. There has been complains that governors set aside money for vehicles, yes; I did set aside money that will be used to purchase 25 ambulances and other utility vehicles for extension and administrative staff, that is the essence of devolution,” he said.

He further dismissed claims that he is competing with the Deputy President for political supremacy.

“Kalenjin politics is consensus-based politics and that is one thing that other tribes fail to understand. Our people do not have an idea of what kings are because there is no single person who makes decisions in the Kalenjin community. Issues are always discussed and a consensus reached,” he explained.

Political survival

Ruto maintained that he respects both President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy.

He said throughout his political career he has been loyal to issues and not personalities raising eyebrows on his relationship with the Deputy President (DP).

“My relationship with the DP has been very good. We started politics together way back.

I have my opinion and he has his but usually we find a way of accommodating each other. Many people think that when I fight for a certain issue we are falling apart with Ruto. Maybe the relationship between us is different from his relationship with other politicians who feel that they must depend on him for political survival,” he said.

Elgeyo/Marakwet senator, Kipchumba Murkomen who has also been vibrant in the push for devolution said it is wrong for people to misconstrue their political stand on issues to mean they are undermining the DP.

“The DP remains a mentor to many and we still rely on his guidance to succeed as new entrants in the political arena. So for someone to suggest that we are undermining him is to say the least, misinformed,” he said.

Murkomen said he should not be perceived to be championing his political interests yet he has been executing his responsibilities as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Devolved Government.