Eldoret North MP William Ruto (right), united republican party (URP)
interim chairman Nickson Korir (centre) and current chairman Francis ole
Kaparo share a light moment in this file photo. Deputy President
William Ruto’s party has called its top organ and MPs to a retreat
Friday to tame the push for a referendum on devolution initiated by one
of its governors.
Deputy President William Ruto’s party
has called its top organ and MPs to a retreat Friday to tame the push
for a referendum on devolution initiated by one of its governors.
The
two-day forum in Naivasha was called as the headache for United
Republican Party (URP) in South Rift intensified after Kericho County
Assembly members joined the push for a referendum. More than 35 of the
House’s 47 members swore to support the poll.
The meeting at Naivasha’s Sopa Lodge was convened by party chairman Francis ole Kaparo through an SMS to members of the National Executive Committee and all MPs. Mr Kaparo (right) couched the agenda of the retreat in NGO-speak — strengthening institutional capacity.
He meant discussing the touchy issue of devolution and how the organs of the party should respond to the matter, which has attracted public attention in the last two weeks.
“You are invited to attend the URP retreat at Sopa Lodge, Naivasha on 30-31st August, 2013,” read the SMS seen by the Nation.
The retreat comes two days after presidential adviser Joshua Kutuny met Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto to soften his stand on the referendum push.
“We agreed that they (governors) suspend the call for a referendum to pave way for dialogue. Governor Rutto was in agreement with me that most of the issues they are agitating for can be solved without a referendum,” said Mr Kutuny.
Some governors have urged the poll in a bid to strengthen the Senate to play a leading legislative role over counties, and increase budgetary allocation to the devolved units.
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