Raila Odinga, the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (Cord) leader has lashed out at President Uhuru Kenyatta for snubbing the third devolution conference in Meru County last week.
According to Odinga, Jubilee has not shown enough commitment towards devolution.
The former prime minister said that failure by Uhuru to attend the devolution conference in Meru last week is a clear indication that his government is less interested in devolution.
Odinga while addressing supporters during a rally held at the Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi on Saturday, said that Jubilee government has tried several times to scuttle devolution.
“Jubilee government should know that Kenyans endorsed the 2010 constitution that provides for devolution and they (government) must ensure that devolution programmess are implemented across the 47 counties,” he said.
The Cord co-principal said that devolution will address the key challenges that have faced Kenyans for many years.
He said that Cord will continue to push for more resource allocation towards counties. Odinga urged governors to implement devolution programmess that will improve people’s lives.
President Uhuru Kenyatta did not attend the conference but instead sent Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri who read his statement.
The president was expected to officiate the closing ceremony of the conference on Friday but also failed to attend and instead sent Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa.
According to sources, President Kenyatta failed to attend the conference owing to political wrangles within Meru county leadership.
As the devolution conference was being closed on Friday, President Kenyatta was hosting a delegation from Meru County led by Senator Kiraitu Murungi where the President promised Sh1 billion to promote the Miraa trade in the county.
There are said to be wrangles between Meru Governor Peter Munya who is also the Council of Governors (COG) chairman and senator Murungi who has declared interest in the Meru governor seat.