Uhuru and Mutua holding hands

Uhuru, Ruto Promise To Implement Constitution

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto with county governors Wycliff Oparanya of Machakos and Kakamega respectively, at State House yesterday. PHOTO BY PPS

BY PPS AND THE PEOPLE REPORTER
FRIDAY, 12 APRIL, 2013

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have reassured Kenyans of their commitment to ensuring that the Constitution is fully implemented and devolution succeeds. They said they have a clear focus on devolution and what it means to the people of Kenya. “Just as I said during my inauguration, devolution is not a choice but our civic duty to ensure we support it to the fullest.

It is our responsibility to support devolution as stipulated in the Constitution, a Constitution we swore to protect and defend,” said Uhuru. They were speaking yesterday at State House Nairobi during a meeting with governors from the 47 counties. They urged the governors to work together with them in ensuring devolution succeeds and the expectations of Kenyans are met.

Uhuru said when the Constitution was passed, Kenyans expected the issues of exclusion and lack of popular participation in decision making would never arise again. He said wananchi also expected that the issue of service delivery will be much smoother and more effective. “Those expectations are still there so people are really looking up to you with a lot of hope and expectations,” said Uhuru.

He urged the governors to work with the executive in ensuring that the Kenyan dream is realised. Ruto said he and the President participated in the formulation of the Constitution at all stages both in the ninth and tenth Parliament and are fully committed to its implementation. He said he and Uhuru will always work towards ensuring devolution succeeds.

“The one thing that we are not going to do is to fail. We must do whatever it takes to ensure devolution succeeds,” the said. The governors have been at loggerheads with the central government while demanding more funds, flags, better offices and extra bodyguards. The elected county leaders formed an 11-member committee to iron out differences with the Executive and they were also expected to meet the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.