Ministers, governors snub Ruto meeting

 38 GOVERNORS have not shown up for a major intergovernmental meeting chaired by Deputy President William Ruto in Nairobi.

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter was the only minister present during the high-profile meeting.

The Council of Governors Chairman Martin Wambora attended the meeting too. He is the Embu governor.

Other senior government officials present were Treasury PS Julius Muia and his Devolution counterpart Julius Korir. Muia represented his boss Ukur Yatani who was absent.

The DP chaired the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) at his Karen offices.

Most governors who attended today’s Karen meeting were DP Ruto allies. They included Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Josphat Nanok (Turkana) , Stanley Kiptis (Baringo) and Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga).

Kisumu Governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o and Paul Chepkwony (Kericho) also attended the meeting.

Treasury CS Ukur Yatani was out of the country during the meeting. He was represented by his PS.

Other ministers who were invited but never turned up were James Macharia (Transport), Peter Munya (Agriculture) and Prof George Magoha (Education).

The Treasury CS is a crucial member of the council. He is the one who chairs the meeting when the deputy president is away.

STORY By MUSYOKA NGUI, EDITED By BONIFACE MWANIKI