Kisumu County Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has accused President William Ruto’s administration of undermining devolution, likening the current government's actions to the Nyayo era.
Prof Nyong’o argues that actions by the Ruto administration reflect leadership styles that predate the 2010 Constitution.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 22, the Governor warned that such moves threaten the goals of building a democratic and developmental state.
“The truth is that the Ruto regime has decided to go back to pre-devolution times of the Nyayo era. The 2010 constitution is a hindrance to its primitive accumulation schemes, which will affect not only devolution but the very ethos of building a national democratic and developmental state," he said.
Nyong'o further questioned the role of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERA), suggesting that they are unnecessary if the national government fully embraced devolution.
“The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERA) need not exist if the national government is prepared to fully implement devolution,” he added.
The governor also defended the efficiency of county governments in managing services such as health, compared to the national government.
“The counties manage health effectively and efficiently. The national government cannot even manage Kenyatta National Hospital: one of the very few health entities in its hands,” he noted.
Nyong'o called on the Council of Governors and other entities to stand firm in defense of the gains made since the Second Liberation.
“The Council of Governors and all progressive forces in our Republic need to be aware of this fact and to resist it by all means necessary. The achievements of the Second Liberation must not be destroyed by this regime,” he concluded.
Nyong'o's remarks come days after Ruto urged MPs and governors to let the national government take charge of the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF).
While speaking in Narok County on Sunday, April 20, the head of state called for unity in managing the levy to make it more efficient.
“I want to ask MPs and governors who are here; I know there is a dispute over the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund between counties and Members of Parliament. If you leave the roads maintenance levy fund to me, I can get more money for constructing all the roads.
"I'm asking you, although it's not mandatory, to accept that proposal so that we can use that money in ways that can benefit Kenyans," he said.
