Governors Ignore Oparanya's Call to Shut Down

Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya speaking at the State of Devolution Address 2020 on July 23, 2020.
Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya speaking at the State of Devolution Address 2020 on July 23, 2020.
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A day after Council of Governors (CoG) Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya advised governors to shut down essential services, including health facilities, barely any action has been taken to effect the CoG resolution that sparked an uproar from Senators

Oparanya ordered Governors to shut down hospitals over the cash crunch facing counties following Senate's failure to agree on the revenue allocation formula.

In Nakuru, county operations are going on as usual with patients in hospitals receiving treatment without any interruptions.

Kenyatta University Referral Hospital main entrance area.
Kenyatta University Referral Hospital main entrance area.
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Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui on Wednesday, September 16, issued a statement after Oparanya's announcement, noting that he will convene a meeting on Friday to deliberate on the county's position on the CoG communique.

Operations in Mombasa have also not been put at a standstill with the County Secretary Dennis Lewa saying that it will only take orders from Governor Hassan Joho who they are expected to meet on Thursday.

Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi also revealed that services in the county would continue as usual but called on Senate to resolve the standoff.

"We will endeavour certainly here in Laikipia to keep the health services running because I have sworn as the Governor to protect the constitution and the number one dictate of that constitution is that we must protect life," he noted.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga defied Oparanya's calls to shut down the county but warned that the county was running out of funds.

"For now we have not stopped any services. We still have a few funds left till the end of the month but according to me, non-essential services is what will shut down first.

"Services such as health, fire fighting, revenue collection will be the last but now we are proceeding with all services," explained Kahiga.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua is ,so far, the only governor to have explicitly issued a statement announcing the halting of county services.

"Following the resolution taken by Governors through the Council of Governors, Machakos County Government is shutting down its operations as per the letter issued to all staff," read the statement in part.

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana on Wednesday, September 16, called out senators for blaming the Council of Governors in their failed attempt to resolve the revenue sharing formula stalemate.

"Several County Employees have come to me after their rental premises were padlocked. Senators continue to draw their salaries and sitting allowances. How are they defending devolution?" questioned Kibwana.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua when he launched his 2022 Presidential bid on September 6, 2020
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua when he launched his 2022 Presidential bid on September 6, 2020
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