On Wednesday, February 26, Deputy President William Ruto spoke out on the take over of Nairobi County by the national government.
Through his social media platforms, the DP called upon various stakeholders to support the agreement that had been signed by Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko and the national government to ensure that Nairobi residents received services efficiently.
"The management of Nairobi City County has been a major source of concern for the Government of Kenya and Nairobians.
"The President met with the Council of Governors and IBEC [Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council] chairs in consultation with other actors to facilitate the agreements signed. All actors should support this effort to ensure our city functions," Ruto wrote on his Twitter page.
While responding to a headline published by Daily Nation's Thursday, February 27, issue that read, 'Ruto Man Fights Uhuru City Takeover', the DP stated that the Senate was an independent institution with the constitutional mandate to issue their oversight on counties.
"For the Daily Nation (or is it Rutodaily) to run its vicious, corruptly-paid tirade of imaginary fights as though the Senate works for or reports to WsR is sure to decline to abysmal gutter," the DP complained.
The 'Ruto man' being referred on the title of the daily was Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, who on Wednesday afternoon, argued that the decision to surrender key county functions to the national government was an affront to the people of Kenya and the residents of Nairobi, many of who were questioning its constitutionality, legality and the resultant effect on service delivery.
The Elgeyo Marakwet senator stated that State House’s reference to Article 187 as the guiding law for the transfer of the functions was a futile attempt to cleanse a flawed process.
He further noted that the agreement was availed to the public after the transfer had occurred which, he argued, was against the constitution.
"The Deed was executed yesterday, February 25, 2020. The views of the public are now sought on a Deed that has already been executed. In effect, the people of Kenya have been denied the opportunity to decide, at the outset, whether or not the functions of the County Government should be transferred to the National Government.
"To say that the Agreement contravenes the provisions of the Constitution and the law with respect to public participation is an understatement," he stated.
