Governors allied with Deputy President William Ruto snubbed the 17th Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) meeting, at the DP's residence in Karen, Nairobi County.
A number of government officials also gave the Tuesday, May 31 event a wide berth.
Among the leaders present included Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok, PS Devolution Julius Korir, Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, representatives from the National Treasury, Ministry of Devolution and County Executive Committee Members.
Ruto's office, in a statement sent to newsrooms, had indicated that the agenda of the meeting was to discuss key economic issues affecting the country including pending bills and disbursement of funds to counties to enable efficient service delivery.
The DP, who chaired the meeting, advocated for pending bills to be treated with utmost urgency.
"The Devolution Ministry will convene a meeting with stakeholders to discuss this problematic issue with a view of resolving it and eliminating unnecessary penalties,” he stated.
Governor Nanok pointed out that the timely disbursement of funds would ease service delivery by counties.
This was corroborated by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o who noted that Own Source Revenue had the potential to unlock the economic potential in the country.
“We have partnered with the United Nations Capital Development Fund to enhance counties’ generation of own revenues that will also help them tackle the issue of pending bills,” she reiterated.
Prior to the handshake in 2018, various government officials would attend the IBEC meeting in a bid to discuss economic issues and solutions toward lowering the cost of living.
However, most leaders have since snubbed the meeting over the years amid cracks in the relationship between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy.
In 2016, leaders who attended the IBEC meeting were Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, CCM party leader Isaac Rutto, and Agriculture CS Peter Munya among others.
In 2021, Cabinet Secretaries Ukur Yatani ( Treasury), George Magoha (Education), Peter Munya (Agriculture), and James Macharia (Transport) failed to honour invites.
