Fresh details have emerged on the last minute rush and several phone calls that were made by governors to save face at the 7th Annual Devolution Conference after Deputy President William Ruto skipped the meeting.
The second in command had been allocated a special slot in the conference where he was supposed to make a key address before officially closing it on Friday, November 26.
But according to details from the meeting that was graced by international figures, governors made over 10 phone calls to confirm the availability of Ruto only for them to be disappointed.
Instead, Ruto sent his Chief of Staff, Ken Osinde, to represent him. However, governors denied him an opportunity to address the gathering at the devolution conference.
The DP's Chief of Staff was sent out of the meeting by the governors who viewed him as of little significance to the conference.
Having no other alternative, the Council of Governors chaired by Martin Wambora, settled on Defence Cabinet Secretary, Eugene Wamalwa, to close the conference.
Speaking at the event, Wamalwa confirmed receiving a last minute call from Embu Governor Wambora to telling him to close the devolution conference.
"I was invited a very short notice just yesterday (Thursday) by Governor Wambora and he told me I am required to be in Makueni immediately," he stated.
Wambora in his message appreciated the CS for accepting the call at last minute cancelling all his plans for the day.
Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, who confirmed Ruto sending his Chief of Staff to close the meeting, he reiterated that the leadership of the council could allow him to address the audiences.
"The leadership of the Council of Governors thought that this is an international conference that cannot be closed by the Chief of Staff," Oparanya stated.
The attendees of the meeting sent a clear message urging leaders to support a person who would strengthen devolution and ensure counties receive more funds and support from the national government.
Ruto on Friday, November 26, met several leaders and held rallies in Nyandarua County where he popularised his bottom up agenda.
He also distributed assortment of equipment which included a car, washing machines, laundry and catering equipment in aid of 75 women groups from 25 wards of Nyandarua County.
He also insisted on the need to support small businesses that account for over 80 per cent of jobs in the country.
