The Council of Governors (CoG), under the leadership of Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok, has explained that it has embraced dialogue in a bid to work better with the National government.
Nanok, who took over as the COG chairman from former Meru Governor Peter Munya in May 2017, observed that the relationship between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the governors has been more cordial.
During his first term, President Kenyatta and the CoG, then led by former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Munya, were at loggerheads especially on matters of disbursements of funds to the counties.
[caption caption="Former Governors Peter Munya and Isaac Ruto"]
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The clashes between the two levels of administration were often caused by the governors crying foul over the revenue allocation which was below the percentage prescribed for in the constitution.
Citing their county coffers being starved of funds, the former Bomet governor launched a 'Pesa Mashinani' drive to compel the government to disburse all the funds owed to the counties.
Their differences caused tension that led to the national government once snubbing the annual devolution conference.
However, after taking over the office after the August polls, CoG vice chairperson Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru stated that the stalemate would not end if the two did not dialogue and negotiate.
“We have legally established forums like the Summit chaired by the President and the Inter-governmental Budget and Economic Council chaired by the Deputy President, where we can discuss and iron out grey areas,” she explained.
Similarly, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen conveyed that the clashes were now resolved when the Governors' council took a different stance to address their issues.
“We no longer engage in the old confrontational way of doing things. That is a thing of the past. The CoG is now more accommodating towards institutions of Government. Devolution is not about governors.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta during a previous devolution conference"]
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“The council is more inclusive. We are doing things through a consultative process. This is the spirit to carry on. Devolution stakeholders should work together and manage affairs collectively,” the Senate Majority Leader explained.
During the devolution conference in Kakamega, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu stated that President Uhuru's commitment to achieving the Big 4 agenda would greatly help the development agenda in their counties.
"I will work to provide services to my people in Kitui, and the President's Big 4 agenda really ties in with what I want to accomplish for my people, so I will support it," she stated.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu"]
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