NATEMBEYA, RUTO CLASH OVER OWNERSHIP OF PROJECTS
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has accused the national government of taking credit for projects he says were initiated and developed by the Trans Nzoia County Government.
Natembeya's remarks followed President William Ruto's visit to the county, where he officially launched or opened some of the projects. The governor's contention is that a project funded and implemented by the county government should not subsequently be presented as a national government project simply because the President has been invited to open it.
That disagreement over who initiated, funded and implemented the projects — and consequently who gets to take credit for them — has now become a political flashpoint.
Natembeya warned that if the national government insists on claiming ownership of county projects, his administration will consider relaunching them under the county government.
“Eti Ruto anataka kuja kufungua soko ambalo limejengwa na Serikali ya Kaunti. Akishafungua na kuondoka, tunang’oa hicho kitu chake, na sisi tunafungua soko letu rasmi!” he said.
The remarks have turned what would ordinarily be a development launch into a battle over project ownership, attribution and political credit.
Aura for aura.