Deputy President William Ruto condemned former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's proposals to restructure Kenya's 47 counties, calling them a 'treacherous anti-devolution narrative' that risks undermining progress since 2013. The dispute emerged at the Sixth Annual Devolution Conference in Kirinyaga, where Ruto urged focus on improving local governance rather than merging or abolishing counties.
The Devolution Debate ¶
Ruto dismissed Odinga's advocacy for regional blocs, which the opposition leader argued would allow smaller counties to pool resources. 'The debate about size and mergers is a treacherous anti-devolution narrative,' Ruto stated, emphasizing that devolution's success depends on leadership innovation rather than administrative boundaries. He specifically criticized Odinga's reference to the 2005 Bomas draft, which proposed 14 regions, as a 'selfish agenda' to derail national development.
Healthcare and Corruption ¶
Ruto highlighted devolution achievements, including the expansion of health facilities from 8,000 in 2012 to over 11,000, and a surge in medical personnel. He cited Turkana County's increase from four to 73 doctors and Mandera's rise from one to 38, noting the number of doctors in health facilities grew from 874 in 2013 to 4,637 in 2017. However, he also accused Odinga of hypocrisy, referencing the ODM leader's past attacks on the Jubilee government over alleged graft in Eurobond transactions.
The DP defended the government's anti-corruption efforts, pointing to Presidential Executive Order No. 2 of 2018, which mandates public procurement transparency. He criticized 'selective prosecutions' and 'rumour mongers' as threats to justice, while reaffirming his support for President Uhuru Kenyatta's anti-graft agenda.
Regional Blocs and Future Challenges ¶
Odinga argued that regional blocs could enhance economic competitiveness for smaller counties, drawing parallels to governance structures in the U.S. and South Africa. However, Ruto maintained that devolution's framework should remain intact, urging governors to leverage the Sh11 billion spatial planning allocation for infrastructure development.
The conflict underscores growing tensions between Ruto and Odinga as they vie for influence ahead of the 2022 leadership transition. Both leaders emphasized the need for national unity, but their diverging visions for devolution highlight deepening ideological divides.
