Wiper Party leader Kalonzo offers to mediate on revenue row
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka yesterday called for dialogue to end the standoff on the sharing of resources between the National and country governments.
Saying the matter should be resolved quickly, Kalonzo offered to mediate between the warring parties.
“I agree with Chief Justice David Maraga’s appeal to the parties to engage in dialogue to unlock the stalemate,” he said at the party headquarters during the unveiling of the leadership of Wiper Young Democrats.
Two weeks ago, Maraga said the Supreme Court would be reluctant to hear the Council of Governor’s (CoG) application for an advisory opinion over division of revenue saying it would only hear the matter if it was the last option.
Settlement
“We are reluctant to hear this case since it is a legislative process,” said Maraga.
The CJ gave the Senate and the National Assembly time to unlock the stalemate, failure to which the matter would proceed to hearing.
“I urge parties to negotiate an amicable settlement on the issues,” he added.
Yesterday, Kalonzo said he was ready to mediate between the Senate and National Assembly.
“We should resolve the matter so that we don’t hold counties’ development at ransom,” he added.
He, however, called for greater transparency and accountability in the use of devolved funds.
“Of course we also expect that there would be accountability. The fact that governors are being arrested and charged is a breath of fresh air,” he said.
Nasa meeting
The CoG moved to the Supreme Court two weeks ago after the Senate and National Assembly failed to reach a settlement on the allocations to counties.
The National Assembly approved Sh316 billion against a proposal of Sh335 billion by the Controller of Budget.
At the same time, Kalonzo said the National Super Alliance (Nasa) is intact and putting its house in order ahead of a possible referendum on the Constitution.
He said Nasa leaders met last week to plan how to consolidate its strongholds and to prepare for a summit, which he said, would be held soon.
