Feb, 4th 2021 – Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani and his Devolution counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, have dismissed claims by Deputy President William Ruto that the government would be in no financial position, to implement the 35 per cent revenue allocation, as proposed by the Building Bridges Initiative Bill.
While meeting the new council of governors Chair Martin Wambora, CS’s Yattani and Wamalwa dismissed remarks by the DP that the government had failed to deliver 15 per cent allocation to counties.
Wamalwa said, “You cannot question the commitment of this government to devolution; You cannot question the commitment of President Uhuru Kenyatta to devolution. On average, we have never paid less than 15 per cent.”
CS Yatani added, “The amount of 30 or 35 per cent is doable…From where I sit, as the person at the centre of the decision-making, it is not a mere statement; it is well thought out, planned and we have the resources to do it.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga have been dangling the devolution matter to the electorate to endorse the BBI, saying the proposals include a 35 per cent increment of revenue share to the devolved units.
DP Ruto dismissed the proposal last week saying that the government had failed to deliver the 15 per cent hence the 35 per cent proposed increment was unrealistic and dishonest.
“Kama imeshindikana kulipa 15 per cent kwa counties, hii 35 per cent mnasema, wananchi wanataka kujua itatoka wapi? Kwa sababu hatutaki uongo,” said the DP.
However, CSs Wamalwa termed Ruto’s sentiments as mere politics. He said, “for the naysayers and anyone who wants to oppose BBI, please look for another reason, and not the issue of devolution being strengthened.”