The collapse of the Ruto Raila handshake is a matter of when and not if. This is according to acting ODM Party leader and Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o who on Tuesday wrote a strong letter attacking President William Ruto.
He accused the president of fighting devolution and trying to take back powers from counties.
Governor Nyong’o was responding to Ruto’s Sunday statement in Narok where the president said the national government should take control of the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund.
The fund is currently shared with counties but the president said centralising it would help avoid confusion and speed up road projects.
Nyong’o did not hold back. He said the president wants to return the country to the days before the 2010 Constitution when the national government controlled everything.
This regime has chosen to go back to the Nyayo era he said. The Constitution is being treated as a problem by people who want to benefit themselves.
He also criticised national road agencies like KURA and KeRRA saying they do the work that counties are supposed to do. He said if devolution was respected those agencies would not exist.
The fight over who should control road funds has been going on for months.
Governors say they deserve a fair share because they are directly involved in road construction and the money comes from a fuel levy paid by everyone.
In March the Council of Governors took the matter to court and refused to drop the case even after talks with Members of Parliament.
Now with ODM leaders openly challenging the president and standing their ground the hopes of a handshake between Ruto and Raila look dim. Governor Nyong’o’s letter has only made the rift more visible.
For many it feels like the handshake is already broken.
