Speaker Kenneth Lusaka has assured Kenyans that the Senate will deal with forces out to scuttle devolution. Speaking at Kapsotik Primary School in Hamisi Sub County in Vihiga, where area Senator George Khaniri hosted him for a harambee, Lusaka said the Senate was aware of a wide scheme to kill devolution by politicians nursing self-interests and assured Kenyans that they will resist the move. “Senators are all united to defend devolution. I urge Kenyans to rally behind the Senate because evil forces have launched a scheme to kill the devolved system,” said Lusaka.
Lusaka was accompanied by Senator Boniface Mutinda (Machakos) and raised Kshs 4.5 million for infrastructural development of the school. He said that they were certain that the tussle between the Senate and National Assembly will soon be resolved amicably. “Everybody has seen what devolution has done to citizens at the village level. Instead of leaders advocating for an increase of funds allocated to Counties they want to starve them of cash,” he observed.
He said they have come up will all sort of negative campaigns to portray the system badly, and commended Senators for uniting and speaking with one voice on the matter. He added that Senators have shown political maturity by putting aside their political differences and defending devolution as one family. The Speaker advised MPs to come up with amendments geared towards strengthening devolution and not weakening the system.
George Khaniri said Kenyans should not be worried about the differences that have emerged between the two Houses saying that its good for the stability of devolution and Kenyans. He said the Senate has the support of the majority of Kenyans in defending devolution and lauded his colleagues on being firm on matters to do with devolution.
Mutinda said the country has achieved a lot through devolved system of governance and those out to scuttle the new system were bound to fail.
