Two Nakuru Jubilee Lawmakers have called on Senators to put aside their political differences and adopt the third basis formula for effective sharing of revenue among counties.
Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika and Bahati Member of Parliament Onesmus Kimani Ngunjiri while lauding the formula said it will address the challenges that counties have been facing.
Addressing media jointly in Bahati Constituency, the duo backed the formula as it is stating that it has focused on population of counties which is key on matters revenue and service delivery.
Senator Kihika taking issue with a section of Senators opposed to the formula.
She says a section of lawmakers with selfish interests are the ones dragging the adoption of the formula that will determine how the counties share Sh316.5 billion allocated to them in the 2020-21 budget.
Kihika maintains that the population aspect is key in the allocation and she will back the same at the Senate so as to ensure better services to the people.
“There has not been fairness and that is why we are saying we need to adopt this formula focusing on the population of counties to ensure one man, one shilling and this will improve service at grassroot level” she said.
Sentiments echoed by Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri who stated that the formula that was developed by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) will help address the issue of marginalization.
Ngujiri challenged Senators to ensure that they put aside their political differences and focus on ensuring counties get funds for service to the people.
According to Ngunjiri, those opposed to the revenue formula for counties have a hidden agenda far away from equality.
Ngunjiri says the only way to ensure Kenyans are satisfied with development, then the revenue allocation should be equal and the boundaries reviewed.
“If there is equal revenue allocation and boundary review done as per population as well as NG-CDF then Kenyans will be a happy lot” said Ngunjiri.
The formula that was presented to the Senate in November last year has factored in key issues such as Health, Agriculture, and population.
According to the Division of Revenue Act, 2020, which equitably allocates the revenue generated at the national level between the national purse and counties, Sh316.5 billion has been allocated to the devolved units in the 2020/21 financial year.
Article 217 (1) of the Constitution, once every five years, the Senate must determine the basis for allocating funds among the counties.
This means that, until the formula is in place, the Senate cannot consider the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, which shares funds equitably among the 47 counties.
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