By JOSEPH MURAYA, NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 8 – The Council of Governors has now formed a 15-member steering committee to kick-start the process of pushing for a referendum.
The committee will in consultation with a technical committee lead consultation meetings across the country on a 10-point agenda that they say will boost devolution.
In a statement presented by Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua on Friday, the council said their quest for a referendum was meant to strengthen devolution, refuting claims that it was politically motivated.
“The call for a constitutional amendment by the Council of Governors did not start last week. It dates to April 2013 immediately the county governments took over office,” he stated.
Consultation meetings will kick off at the ward level next week.
Among the issues they want addressed include increase of county funds to 45 percent of latest Exchequer accounts, empowerment of the Senate and amendment of 23 laws they say negatively affect devolution.
Gachagua also said that they want separate gazettement of laws between the national and county governments.
Among the Governors in the steering committee include the council’s chairman Isaac Ruto, Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Kiambu Governor William Kabogo.
Others are Peter Munya of Meru, Kivutha Kibwana of Makueni, Nyeri’s Gachagua, Ahmed Abdullahi of Wajir, Jack Ranguma of Kisumu, Salim Mvurya of Kwale and Wycliffe Oparanya of Kakamega County.
They also include David Nkedianye of Kajiado, Kenneth Lusaka of Bungoma, Ali Roba of Mandera, Cleophas Lagat of Nandi and Ukur Yattani of Marsabit County.