A clash looms between the government and the council of governors after the county chiefs protested against what they termed asbeing sidelined by President William Ruto’s administration.
The governors are up in arms about the government’s decision to lock them out of Ruto’s trip to Korea where a key forum on devolved functions will be discussed.
The President is currently in Korea for a three-day state visit.
They have also protested about being sidelined in the formation of a team to mobilise funds for Kenyans facing anger and starvation.
On Monday, Ruto appointed a 15-member private-sector-led National Steering Committee on Drought Response to mobilise resources for the millions of Kenyans facing starvation.
In a letter seen by the Star, Trade PS Johnson Weru asked CEOs and managing directors of 10 state agencies to send their delegations to accompany the President.
“It has been proposed that a business forum be organised on the margins of the official visit as to explore the opportunities for trade and investment,” the letter dated November 11 reads in part.
The sectors interested included Health, Agriculture Infrastructure, Energy and ICT.
Health and Agriculture are largely devolved functions.
The letter is addressed to MDs and CEOs of Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services of Kenya, Agriculture, Geothermal Development Authority and Pest Control Product Board.
Others are Konza Technopolis, ICT Authority, Kenya Electricity Generating Company, Kenya Investment Authority and Kenya Bureau of Standards.
“The purpose of this letter is therefore to inform as above and request you to circulate the information amongst your members to consider participating,” PS Weru said in the letter.
The Star has established that the governors feel that disaster management and some of the sectors whose forums will be held in Korea devolved functions and thus the council should have seconded its representatives.
Residents of at least 20 counties are facing hunger due to prolonged drought.
The 15-member team, which is chaired by Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa, will establish a national drought mitigation appeal fund under the auspices of the Red Cross.
The team will report to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who is coordinating the Government response.
It will approve the opening and closing of bank accounts to be jointly operated by representatives from the private sector, government and Kenya Red Cross.
Other members of team are CEOs James Mwangi (Equity), Jane Karuku (EABL) and Diamond Trust Bank’s Nasim Devji.
Others are KCB head Paul Russo, Rebecca Mbithi, Family Bank, Joshua Chepkwony of Jamii Telecom and Shamaz Savani of the African Banking Corporation.
The President also appointed Red Cross Secretary General Dr Asha Mohammed, Patricia Mugambi of Impact Africa Philanthropy and Krishma Jitesh Chavda of the ISHA foundation to the steering committee.
Lt Colonel Hared Hassan of the National Disaster Management Authority is also a member while Murimi Murage from the Office of the Deputy President will be the secretary.
“This is a delegation comprised of National government entities only. How will counties be investment hubs if they are not engaged?” a source at the Council said.
