Ruto: My driving force was to see devolution take root

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto speaks during the second Devolution Conference in Kisumu on April 23, 2015. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• My original work was to ground devolution and ensure that counties have more say in development matters. I am basically a rural person, brought up in the villages and I understand the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
• here was a fight to ensure counties are respected and that governors are not upgraded mayors. The two are now well understood and negative perceptions have been cast aside.
• I was surprised when Jubilee took up arms to fight devolution. I am still shocked about the decision. My role has been to ground and protect devolution from within Jubilee.

By BERNARD NAMUNANE
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Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto on Thursday ended his two years at the helm of the Council of Governors and handed over to his Meru counterpart, Peter Munya. He shared his experiences, challenges and achievements with our writer, Bernard Namunane, on devolution.

Q: What motivated you to become the first chairman of the Council of Governors

A: I have always been passionate about devolution. It is that passion that drove me to ensure that devolution is well grounded for the future. I had heard from my colleagues that the post of governor would be like an exalted mayor. That is why I wanted to make sure that governors take their right place and we have proper sub-national governments.

Q: There are claims that you have used the chairmanship of the council to build your political profile. Was that your aim?

A: If that is a by-product of my work, I have no problem with it. My original work was to ground devolution and ensure that counties have more say in development matters. I am basically a rural person, brought up in the villages and I understand the lives of ordinary Kenyans. That is what propelled me to ensure that devolution works to help people off their feet.

Q: There are those who argue that as chairman you are too powerful and control billions of shillings at your Westlands office. Is it true?

A: How can that be? I have an expanded secretariat which is led by a chief executive officer. My work is basically policy. It mainly involves coordinating, creating harmony and promoting the work of governors and counties. It is not an executive position where one is required to deal with daily issues. I spend most of my time in Bomet. The budget at my disposal is less than Sh1 billion.

Q:What are some of the challenges you have encountered since you became chairman?

A: There are many but starting from the scratch, we had to set up institutions, come up with policy and legislation which Parliament has passed to support devolution. There was a fight to ensure counties are respected and that governors are not upgraded mayors. The two are now well understood and negative perceptions have been cast aside.

Q: From your frequent spats with the Jubilee government, there is a school of thought that you took up the position to fight the current administration. Do you agree?

A: I never took up the post thinking that Jubilee will be an adversary. When we came up with the Jubilee manifesto, one of the key pillars was to establish and support devolution. I was surprised when Jubilee took up arms to fight devolution. I am still shocked about the decision. My role has been to ground and protect devolution from within Jubilee.

Q: Now that you term is up, what next?

A: I will concentrate on Bomet because my performance is what will count. I will also continue to be part of the Council of Governors and I will support the new chairman