I'll support you fully — Ruto assures governors

A Kenya Kwanza administration will partner with all new governors to ensure they deliver on their election pledges and mandates, President-elect William Ruto has said.

He emphasised, "Every hustle counts in the City."

He made the remarks on Thursday during the swearing in of newly elected Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja at KICC.

Ruto said on Thursday that having chaired the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council, he is aware of the challenges faced by the counties, especially the continual delays in release of funding.

The shareable revenue, he committed, will be released in time to ensure governors deliver on their mandates and the commitments they made to their people.

“The government of Kenya will make it possible to have the county allocations released on time, and in accordance with the law and Constitution so that you can better manage your counties,” Ruto said.

He further assured the county chiefs his government will build capacities to ensure they raise their own resources, away from guaranteed allocations, so they can better deliver on their functions.

He disclosed he has held discussions with the Kenya Revenue Authority to achieve this.

While congratulating Sakaja on his election, Ruto said the national government will have his unwavering support as in the past when he discharged his duties.

He told the governors to immediately start working and deliver to the residents of Nairobi who, he said, have entrusted him with the leadership of the Kenyan capital.

“You were elected despite the many hurdles that you faced, including the question of you academic credentials," Ruto told Sakaja.

He went on, “You are a miracle candidate, it would not have happened without God, I want to appreciate that you have understood and underscored the place of faith and God in your election as the governor.”

Sakaja, he said, has made the Kenya Kwanza team proud, adding that as a team they have full confidence in him as he settles in to drive the county forward.

The President-elect also acknowledged the seven women governors, elected terming their election historic and an improvement from three in 2017.

They are Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Fatuma Achani (Kwale), Faith Kawira (Meru), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga).

“We wish you well and all other governors as you take over the responsibilities in your counties,” he said.

He also said there will be no exemption of anybody on account of paying taxes. He said the rule of law will be the benchmark "irrespective of who we are".

“Everyone will be expected to live by the rule of law, I want to commit to all my friends in leadership that we are going make Kenya the land of opportunities without any connections,” he said.

Ruo further told Sakaja that he is going to be available to consult so that commitments made to Nairobians on market structures, garbage collection and transport and infrastructure are achieved while ensuring “every hustle counts in the City”.

Ruto did not discuss the pending case challenging his election in the Supreme Court.

He only said, "I am asking all our leaders to listen to what the people are saying so we can conclude the remaining steps of our election in a peaceful, orderly and respectful manner."

Sakaja affirmed his position that he is going to ensure all functions managed by Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) are transferred back to the county.

NMS director general Mohammed Badi said, “I will be more than happy to hand over the functions; we will start the process of handing over next week.”

He said NMS was created for specific tasks that he said have all been accomplished, pledging support for the incoming governor as he discharges his mandates.

He said, “We will always be available for you to make Nairobi great again.”

(Edited by V. Graham)