Members of County Assemblies in the North Rift region have taken a one-month recess to campaign for the national referendum. The MCAs vowed to fully support the referendum in order to strengthen the county governments and have additional resources devolved to the counties.
"We will go out to explain to our people why we need to strengthen devolution so that our counties can operate effectively," said Uasin Gishu County Assembly Majority leader Josphat Lowoi who also said they would conduct a door-to-door campaign in their wards.
The MCAs accused the national government of reluctance in scaling up the allocation of resources to the counties to enable implementation of key development projects.
"The national government is busy working against devolution and that is why we need the referendum so that through the constituents we can put in place safeguards for devolution," said Uasin Gishu minority leader, Ali Ramadhan.
Benson Kiptire, leader of minority in Elgeyo Marakwet said counties were under threat of crumbling due to the move by the national government to withhold billions of shillings meant for devolved units.
“We know the national government has ganged up with the senators to frustrate the implementation of devolution and later blame the move on us and governors,” said Moses Barteng of Sergoit ward adding that most counties had nothing to show in terms of development since the national government has been starving them of funds required to accelerate the implementation of key projects at the grass root level.
Ramadhan asked the government to move with speed and release the required funds instead of waiting to be embarrassed during the referendum exercise adding that there was no turning back in the campaign to woo more Kenyans to support their course.
"We will go out very strongly during this recess to ensure that we have public support for this counties," said Ali.
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