Outgoing governors Jackson Mandago and Martin Wambora have defended their decision to vie for the Senate seats in their respective counties in the August 9 general election.
The two are among a number of second term county bosses that have opted to go for the Senate seats.
Mandago is vying for the Senate seat in Uasin Gishu County on a UDA ticket while Wambora, the current Council of Governors’ chairman is eyeing the Embu Senate seat using his Usawa na Maendeleo Party.
Speaking to the press in Eldoret, the duo said they are best placed to push for the interest of counties at the Senate.
“We are the most experienced persons in implementing devolution,” Mandago said.
He pointed out that one of the areas he hopes the Senate will address, with him being part of the team would be to address 67 legislations passed by the National Assembly, which he notes undermine devolution.
“I am looking forward to more synergy in Senate and Council of Governors as well as the National Assembly in dealing with the legislations so that counties can function,” Mandago said.
Wambora on his part said his first piece of legislation as a Senator will be to push for an allocation of more resources to counties.
He noted that the current 15 percent of the national budget was not enough for the devolved units.
“We don’t mind future governors enjoying more funds. We must have a minimum of 35 percent of Kenyan revenue going to counties for high economic growth rate. We shall be able to get 35 percent and above without taking more loans,” Wambora said.
The COG boss defended governors that are vying for the Senate seat, saying they are only interested at making devolution work better for the common mwananchi.
Other second term governors that are in the race to seat in the Senate include Eng. Alex Tolgos of Elgeyo Marakwet, Makueni’s Kivuta Kibwana and Samuel Tunai of Narok among others.
“It is not a question of prestige but Senate is a place to make use of the experience that we have as pioneer governors and improve devolution,” said the Embu governor.
[…] are the most experienced persons in implementing devolution,” Mandago told the press in Eldoret when he hosted Council of Governors chairman Mwangi wa Iria on June 28, […]