New CoG Chair Njuki vows to stand up to Ruto

Nairobi, Kenya - Muthomi Njuki, recently elected as Council of Governors (CoG) chair, pledged to secure at least Sh500 billion in funding for counties. Despite his political affiliation with President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza government, Njuki emphasized his commitment to the interests of county governments. He vowed to safeguard devolution, stating that county functions had expanded while funding had lagged, compelling governors to negotiate for more allocations annually.

The CoG chair identified the National Assembly as a key area of contention in funding negotiations, noting that disputes over financial power had hindered progress. Njuki assured that his relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration would not impede his efforts to advocate for counties' needs. He assured fellow governors that his ties with the national government would not hinder his stance on resource allocation for necessary county services.

Njuki highlighted the need for a more amicable relationship with Members of Parliament (MPs) while maintaining firmness on funding requirements. He expressed confidence in President Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's willingness to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve funding disagreements. The new CoG chair emphasized the importance of meeting the National Treasury's demands to expedite donor-funded development programmes and urged for the acceleration of the Agri-Connect Compact programme.