BIG READ: ''Nandi residents are not enjoying the fruits of devolution" - Speaker Joshua Kiptoo

Nandi Speaker Joshua Kiptoo

Nandi County Assembly speaker Joshua Kiptoo has come out to castigate Sang's administration in what he has termed as incompetence.

Speaking to Nandi News where he was hosted by Rono Chonginio, the speaker raised concerns over failure by the County Executive to implement its agenda yet the Assembly had accorded them the support needed.

Speaker Joshua Kiptoo (left) speaks to Rono Chonginio of Nandi News

"Lack of implementation by the executive is the biggest problem we are facing right now as a county," He stated.

WHO IS JOSHUA KIPTOO?

Born and raised in Nandi, Joshua Kiptoo spent most of his childhood within the county. He schooled in Miwani before proceeding to Kobujoi, then Kapsimotwa before joining Kapsabet boys for his secondary education.

After completion of his highschool education, he joined University of Nairobi where he pursued a degree in Law studies graduating in the year 2012.

READ ALSO: Nandi county spent Ksh. 319 Million on domestic travel

Kiptoo who considers himself a progressive started online writing to fend for his needs. He says that he used to earn upto Ksh. 300 per page.

"I couldn't go back to my parent's home after my university years, I had to look for something constructive to engage in. That's how I got involved in online writing." Said Kiptoo.

His first formal employment was with Oshwal College where he used part of his earnings to finance his education at the Kenya School of Law. He later joined University of Nairobi as a tutorial fellow, teaching legal studies.

In 2017, at the age of 28 years, Joshua Kiptoo was elected as a speaker Nandi County becoming the youngest in the country. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF HIS CAREER AS A SPEAKER

According to Kiptoo, some of his achievements are the fact that now public participation in the county has been devolved further into the smallest units (wards).

READ ALSO: Cherargei: Sang and allies are fleecing Nandi County

He is also delighted that the Assembly proceedings are aired live on the Assembly's social media handles which has made it possible for citizens all over the world to follow with their agenda.

He also highlighted that the Assembly had been able to legislate on 54 motions since he took over as the speaker. They have also hit 75% of their legislative agenda.

WHY HE FELL OUT WITH SANG'S ADMINISTRATION 

Kiptoo stated that since they took office back in 2017, he had been closely working with the executive to see to it that projects and legislations to enable the county work efficiently were implemented. 

He said that the Assembly had given the executive an ample atmosphere to conduct its businesses devoid of any interference.

"As an Assembly, we have done everything to ensure that the executive and its agenda succeeds. We have further passed budgets to ensure that there are resources to implement the executive's agenda. However, Sang's administration has failed to imement the recommendations of our house." Said Kiptoo.

"You cannot tell residents to raise revenues yet no services are given." He added.

He noted that the county should by now be doing about 8 ECD centres yet Sang was launching 1 or 2 per ward despite the heavy financial investments in the education sector.

READ ALSO: Governor Sang ridiculed for inspecting poorly commissioned road in Kapsabet

"The governor is launching projects for the 2017/2018 financial year. He is renovating health facilities as new projects have stalled owing to non payment of pending bills." He revealed.

The speaker absolved himself from claims that the Assembly was in bed with the Executive, stating that as a speaker he had limited room to manoeuvre.

"I want it to be understood that I am not coming out now. I have been vocal since our first budget in the FY 2017/18. I wanted to avoid a scenario whereby from day one, I'd be seen to be fighting the governor." Said Kiptoo.

DEVELOPMENT IN NANDI

"The priorities of the county government are upside down. 77% of our budgetary allocations go to recurrent expenditures and a paltry 22% goes to development." He revealed.

The speaker also revealed that for the four financial years, the county had received close to Ksh. 20Billion yet there wasn't much to show for it. 

"Pending bills and roll overs of projects are the order of the day here in Nandi yet we have received more than 20Billion for the four years. In my Assembly, I do not have any pending bills at all!" He added.

ON YOUTHFUL LEADERSHIP IN NANDI

The speaker revealed that he was disappointed by the incompetence exhibited by the Executive.

"I feel disappointed, as a county we have failed! However, I would like us to be objective on where to apportion the blame. I want as a speaker to be judged individually. Let them say that I failed on my legislative and oversight roles. It is only my generation that can correct and be able to set us in a path of success." Stated Kiptoo.

BBI BILL

Kiptoo revealed that Nandi County followed the laid down procedure to table the bill at the Assembly. He revealed that the bill was subjected to public participation and that 90% of the respondents did not approve of it, hence its failure.

The speaker went further to state that the bill if passed through a referendum would pose a challenge on how to create a new constituency as the bill had given Nandi one new one. 

"What formula would be used to creafe this new Constituency?" He posed.

IS HE RUNNING FOR OFFICE?

Kiptoo revealed that he had not made indications of running for office on any occasion.

"It is the people who will decide. If they feel that I am competent enough to be promoted to whatever position, I will leave it to them. I have not declared any interest for any political seat." He said.

"I am a hustler, I believe in the ideology which is progressive. Leadership is about offering a platform for others to thrive." He added.

The speaker stated that going forward, people should expect to see more of him in the field. He also promised to support the executive in execution of its mandate.

PARTING SHOT 

The speaker thanked Nandi residents for their support and the MCAs for giving him support to serve as speaker. 

He also called on the people to be cautious on the Covid-19 pandemic and observe the directives by the government.