Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga praises senators for their fight

By GRACE WEKESA

Former Prime MinisterRaila Odinga has lauded the senators for their push for a referendum to amend the Constitution to make devolution effective.

Speaking at St Catherine’s Technical Institute and School for the Mentally Handicapped in Butula, Busia County, during the homecoming ceremony of are MP Florence Mutua, Raila said the amendment will make the senate more powerful in matters concerning devolution and see to it that funds to counties are increased.

“This referendum is meant to empower the Senate more. Currently, counties have been allocated 15 per cent of funds. We want the cash to be increased to 45 per cent to make all programmes in the counties to be implemented fully,’’ noted Raila.

However, Busia governor Sospeter Ojaamong and Senator Amos Wako censured Raila for making a U-turn on a stand he had taken earlier about a Constitution review to replace the presidential system of government with a parliamentary one.

Wako pleaded with those pushing for Parliamentary presidential system to give priority to devolution, saying other amendments such as those seeking to revamp the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission can wait.

“The main agenda is to see t Kenyans feel the fruits of the Constitution they voted in 2010,”  he said.