Leaders’ dilemma over proposed revenue formula
The proposed Third Generation revenue sharing formula faced mixed reaction ahead of today’s Senate debate.
Leaders across the country yesterday expressed divergent views on the proposed formula, which is threatening to tear apart the newly found political relationship between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Religious leaders
Religious leaders and politicians across the political divide were sharply divided as to whether the proposal should be adopted or not.
The Service Party (TSP) leader Mwangi Kiunjuri called for the support of the proposal saying the proposed formula was not a random document but has undergone public participation even by Senate and professional input by Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA).
Kiunjuri said as Mt Kenya region, equitable sharing of resources is among the irreducible minimum they have been pushing in the Building Bridges Initiative.
Former Gatanga legislator Peter Kenneth has backed the proposed formula saying it would ensure there is equity to the counties especially in Mt Kenya region as they have been punished since 2013 with the previous formula.
Members of Parliament from Kiambu County said they feel marginalised despite its revenue contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, and want the new ‘one man, one vote, one shilling’ revenue sharing formula adopted.
MPs Patrick Wainaina (Thika Town) and Simon King’ara (Ruiru) Jonah Mburu (Lari), Peter Mwathi (Limuru) and former Lari MP Mburu Kahangara accused a section of senators of politicising the revenue sharing formula.
Disputed debate
Wainaina and King’ara separately observed that the new formula will ensure equity and fairness and enhance hard work and adequate revenue collection measures in all counties.
“If we don’t use this formula to distribute resources, some regions will feel marginalised despite making huge national revenue contributions,” said Wainaina.
Mwathi condemned the Senate for frequently postponing the debate and urged the lawmakers to deliberate on the Bill soberly.
In Western Kenya, local political leaders challenged the Senate to defer the disputed debate on the proposed formula and allow the counties to receive their share from the National Treasury.
Speaking separately, the leaders said the tug of war being witnessed in the Senate is likely to halt the operations of the counties especially during the difficult period of Covid-19 pandemic.
Governors; Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and his Vihiga counterpart, Dr Wilber Ottichilo said the impasse has delayed release of funds to the counties.
In Kisumu, the Maseno West Anglican Church Bishop John Mark Haung called for a speedy solution to the impasse warning that the delay in picking the best revenue formula was not only frustrating the counties development but also interfering with preparedness towards tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.
