Nairobi: Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta has convened a meeting of the leaders to discuss the county revenue sharing stalemate at the Senate. During the meeting has pledged to raise next year's counties budget by Sh50 billion, the latest of inducements seeking to unlock the stalemate on the revenue sharing formula.
The Senate has failed to pass the formula that would determine how counties would share Sh316.5 billion for a record nine times. The allocation of the additional funds for the financial year 2021/22, Uhuru said, will be dependent on the financial performance of the economy.
Kenyatta made the pledge when he hosted leaders at State House, Nairobi to discuss the county revenue sharing stalemate at the Senate. The meeting – attended by Raila Odinga and Chairman of the Council of Governors Wycliffe Oparanya – resolved that the funds will go towards strengthening devolution.
State House spokesperson Kanze Dena said the Senate was represented by Majority leader Samuel Poghisio and Majority chief whip Irungu Kang'ata. The Minority leader James Orengo, Poghisio's deputy Fatuma Dullo, nominated senator Beatrice Kwamboka and Taita Taveta senator Mwashushe Mwaruma were also present.
"The President urged senators to urgently resolve the revenue sharing stalemate at the Senate so as to avoid disruption of service delivery in the counties," said Kanze in a statement.