Kisumu County Governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of undermining devolution and reverting to the autocratic governance style of the Moi era.
In a strongly-worded statement issued toda, Nyong’o declared that “the Ruto regime has decided to go back to pre-devolution times of the Nyayo era,” referring to former President Daniel arap Moi’s 24-year rule characterized by centralized power.
The statement comes amid growing discontent within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) regarding the party’s agreement with President Ruto’s administration, despite party leader Raila Odinga’s support for the broad-based government arrangement.
“The 2010 constitution is a hindrance to its primitive accumulation schemes, which will affect not only Devolution but the very ethos of building a national democratic and developmental state,” Nyong’o stated.
The governor’s remarks follow a heated dispute between county governments and the national government over the management of roads funds, with Nyong’o questioning the necessity of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA).
“KURA and KERRA need not exist if the national government is prepared to fully implement Devolution,” the governor asserted.
On Sunday, the president hinted at taking up the issue of road maintenance, insisting that leaving it to the national government would end the overlapping responsibilities and ensure effective management of resources.
While speaking at an Easter Sunday service at Ntulele, Narok County, the President assured that he would guarantee infrastructure development and long-term results if the funds are allocated to the national government.
Governors have consistently argued that they are equally entitled to the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), insisting they are directly involved in road construction. They also argue that the fund originates from a shared fuel levy.
Nyong’o’s attack mirrors similar sentiments recently expressed by his Siaya counterpart, Governor James Orengo, who has been publicly critical of the UDA-ODM pact.
Many view this as evidence of deepening fractures within ODM regarding the party’s cooperation with President Ruto.
The Kisumu governor contrasted county governments’ performance with the national government’s, particularly highlighting healthcare management.
“The counties manage health effectively and efficiently. The national government cannot even manage Kenyatta National Hospital: one of the very few health entities in its hands,” he noted.
The statement concluded with a call to action, urging “the Council of Governors and all progressive forces in our Republic to be aware of this fact and to resist it by all means necessary.” Nyong’o dramatically added that “the achievements of the Second Liberation must not be destroyed by this regime.”
The governor’s remarks represent the most direct attack yet from a senior ODM figure on the Ruto administration since the political truce between the president and Raila Odinga was announced last year.
Nyong’o, a professor of political science and longtime Raila Odinga ally, retains his ODM party leadership position – a role he assumed when Raila launched his African Union Commission campaign.
His latest statement appears aimed at rallying county governments to defend devolution, which he suggests is under threat from centralizing tendencies of the current administration.
