William Ruto allied governors were a no-show at the opening of the 7th devolution conference that was graced by ODM leader Raila Odinga in Makueni County.
President Uhuru Kenyatta was expected to open the conference that kicked off on Wednesday, November 24, but instead he assigned Raila Odinga to represent him.
The conference opening was snubbed by William Ruto allied governors, who were a no show at the event graced by Raila Odinga.
The meeting was only attended by pro-handshake governors including;
Martin Wambora(Embu), Alfred Mutua(Machakos), Charity Ngilu(Kitui), Kivutha Kibwana(Makueni) Ann Kananu (Nairobi), James Ongwae (Kisii), Ndiritu Muriithi ( Laikipia), James Nyoro ( Kiambu), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) and Wilber Otichillo (Vihiga).
The only Ruto allied personality that was present at the event was devolution Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter.
Despite being the man at the helm of Devolution, Keter took a back seat as pro-handshake Cabinet Secretaries such as Fred Matiang’i (Interior), Joe Mucheru (ICT), Eugene Wamalwa (Defence) and Monica Juma (Energy) ran the show.
The rift between president Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto continues to be witnessed in government functions.
On Monday, November 22, Raila and Uhuru Kenyatta governors and Cabinet Secretaries snubbed an official meeting held by William Ruto at his Karen residence.
The Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), which entails CSs, the Council of Governors, Finance and Budget Committee among other players in the devolved system, saw close to 40 governors skip the meeting.
Devolution CS Charles Keter, a longtime associate of Ruto was the only Cabinet Secretary who showed up for the meeting.
Other Cabinet Secretaries that failed to honour Ruto’s invitation were; Ukur Yatani (Finance) George Magoha(Education), Peter Munya (Agriculture) as well as James Macharia (Transport).
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).
