A good number of governors and Cabinet Secretaries allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga, on Monday, November 22, failed to show up for William Ruto’s official meeting.
The Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), which slots in the CSs, the Council of Governors, Finance and Budget Committee among other players in the devolved system, saw close to 40 governors skip the meeting.
Only one CS and 9 out of the 47 governors showed up for the meeting which was chaired by the Deputy President at his official Karen residence.
Devolution CS Charles Keter, a longtime associate of the former Agriculture Minister was the only member of the Cabinet who showed up for the meeting.
IBEC chair William Ruto had invited Treasury CS Ukur Yatani, who is a permanent member of the council, but is out of the country on official duty, Education CS George Magoha, Peter Munya (Agriculture) as well as James Macharia (Transport).
Furthermore, only two Principal Secretaries Julius Muia (Treasury) and Julius Korir (Devolution) attended the meeting.
Governors present were led by Chair of the Council of Governors Martin Wambora, Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Sospeter Ojamoong (Busia), Josphat Nanok (Turkana) Hillary Barchok (Bomet), Stanley Kiptis (Baringo), Paul Chepkwony (Kericho) and Nderitu Mureithi (Laikipia).
Laikipia Governor Nderitu Mureithi who doubles as the Chair of the Council of Governors Finance and Budget Committee allied said that the government officials skipped the meeting due to their political affiliations.
“There has been no consensus between our council, the National Treasury, and the CRA Chaired by the deputy president, it brings both levels of government together to ensure we are coordinated in running the country’s finances,” he stated.
Notably, Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu was also absent from the meeting.
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, the deputy president indicated that the meeting sought to define and profile bills owed by the 47 county governments as well as how payments can be fast-tracked.
