Deputy President Ruto Dismisses Raila's Proposal to Create 14 Regions in Kenya, Three-Tier Gov't System

Deputy President William Ruto was quick to dismiss Constitutional amendments to introduce a three-tier system of government proposed by opposition leader Raila Odinda on Wednesday.

While delivering a key-note address at the just ended 5th annual Devolution Conference in Kakamega on Wednesday, Odinga said the country should revisit the Bomas draft of the Constitution that proposed for a different system of governance from the current dispensation.

“I want to propose that we bite the bullet and reconsider the current structure of devolution and revisit the Bomas draft,” he said.

"The Bomas Draft divided Kenya into 14 regions. It is time to look at how to recover this original spirit.. My proposal is to adopt a three-tier system of government."

However, speaking when he officially closed the Conference on Wednesday, DP Ruto said the magic of devolution is in service delivery and is what the country needs.

"That is what our people want," Ruto said during the closing ceremony on Thursday.

Ruto noted that if Devolution is to be enhanced, it should be pushed downwards and not upwards as Raila proposed.

"Rearranging devolution cannot be by creating another layer. It should be by taking the counties to the wards. We cannot take devolution upwards. [It should be taken] downwards. That is where devolution has to go and we don't have to change the Constitution for that."

 "The Chinese say a bad workman quarrels with his tools. If you are a bad workman, you will find all manner of excuses - blame the Constitution, MCAs or Senators. We built the SGR and didn't need to amend the Constitution. It's all about being focused."

"If somebody is bad workman he will blame counties ... because he is a bad workman."