Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects in the Executive Office of the President Dennis Itumbi has dismissed reports alleging that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has been stripped of some of his key government functions in favour of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
The reports claimed President William Ruto had assigned Mudavadi responsibility for administering the Intergovernmental Relations Act, a role previously linked to the Deputy President’s office. They also alleged Kindiki was no longer chair of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), which oversees fiscal relations between the national and county governments.
Responding through his social media platforms, Itumbi endorsed Kindiki’s earlier rejection of the claims, describing the reports as false and misleading.
He said Kenya’s intergovernmental relations framework is governed by multiple institutions established under the Constitution and various laws, each with clearly defined mandates, rather than by a single office.
“Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was right to describe the reports as fake news,” Itumbi said, adding that it was inaccurate to suggest one office had assumed another’s constitutional or statutory responsibilities.
He also criticised what he termed misleading headlines, saying they did not alter the legal framework governing intergovernmental relations.
Itumbi explained that the National and County Government Coordinating Summit remains the country’s highest intergovernmental body. Chaired by President Ruto, it brings together the President and all 47 governors to strengthen cooperation between the two levels of government and promote national unity.
Also Read: Labour Migration to Gulf Countries Drives Surge in Kenya’s Visa Applications
On IBEC, Itumbi maintained that Kindiki continues to chair the council in line with the Public Finance Management Act, 2012. He said the council remains the primary forum for consultations between the national and county governments on public finance and economic policy.
Its mandate includes coordinating fiscal relations, deliberating on revenue sharing, reviewing county budget implementation and public financial management, harmonising budget and economic policies, and resolving fiscal disputes between the two levels of government.
IBEC’s membership includes the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, the Cabinet Secretary responsible for devolution, the Chairperson of the Council of Governors and representatives of county governments.
“It is important to note that the Principal Secretary for Devolution sits in the Deputy President’s office,” Itumbi said.
He further described the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) as the technical arm responsible for implementing decisions of the Coordinating Summit, facilitating consultations, monitoring agreements and helping resolve intergovernmental disputes.
According to Itumbi, Mudavadi’s role in intergovernmental affairs arises from his responsibility for responding to parliamentary questions on the framework, since the Principal Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs falls under his office.
He also noted that the Council of Governors, established under separate legislation, continues to represent the collective interests of Kenya’s 47 county governments while working alongside the other institutions to strengthen cooperative governance.
