The national assembly has vowed to stay put on the amendment to the Division of Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2024 that seeks to reduce funds to counties by Ksh 20 Billion.

Majority whip in the National Assembly Silvanus Osoro on Saturday said the national assembly will not allocate more money to governors unless they explain how they utilized the money they were allocated before.

“We are not ready to make a few people millionaires at the expense of majority of Kenyans. We are at a situation where counties are allocated money but they have nothing to show for it. What we are asking governors to do is to show us what they have done with what we have given then before they ask for more,” he said

The south Mugirango MP was responding to requests by a section of Kilifi MCAs to make sure the national assembly rescinds its decision to cut the allocation from Ksh 400 Billion as per the division of revenue Act 2024 to Ksh 380 Billion.

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The Division of Revenue (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 38 of 2024), seeks to amend the Division of Revenue Act, 2024, to revise the sharing of the revenue raised nationally between the National and County Governments, to reflect the downward revision of projected ordinary revenue collection for the Financial Year 2024/25.

The Bill was passed in the National Assembly on the 7th of August, 2024 before proceeding to the Senate, where it was passed with amendments on the 3rd of October 2014.

Speaking during the unveiling of the cross for the late Silas Mweri, father to Kilifi north MP Owen Baya, Osoro said most governors are wasteful and increasing the allocation will be a waste of public funds.

“I am wondering why a governor will have a convoy of 10 cars. One is carrying a chair, the other one a carpet and another one will carry goons. Why do you need goons in your meeting?” he asked

Kilifi county assembly speaker Teddy Mwambire led MCAs in demanding the release of funds to counties.

 “We have a cash crunch in the counties. The MPs should make sure they resolve the issues so that we deliver services,” he said

Dabaso MCA Emmanuel Changawa urged the MPs to support devolution by increasing the allocation.

Changawa said most MCAs receive peanuts and a reduction will hurt them.

“My salary is Ksh 300, 000 but after the deductions, I get about Ksh 50, 000. We are the first people the community run to incase of any emergency. We need to work for our people. The Senate is responding positively but you as the MPs are letting us down,” said Changawa

Matsangoni MCA Hassan Mohammed said most MCAs have taken loans and some have even been blacklisted from taking loans because they do not have the money to pay back.

Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwour said the national assembly is not an enemy of devolution but makes sure money allocated to counties is used prudently.

Kilifi governor Gideon Mung’aro urged MPs not to use blanket condemnation against governors.

He challenged the government to arrest governors who misappropriate public funds.

“We are doing what we can to ensure we serve our people. As a county we can show you what we have done with the money we received. If there is any governor you think is not doing the correct thing then you have all the government agencies to deal with this governor. Do not deny the people of Kilifi funds because a governor in another county is not working,” he said

Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi said the Senate is the institution mandated with legislating for counties.

He accused the MPs of taking a hard stand on the Bill.

“As the Senate, we did our part and gave counties the Ksh 400 billion but the National assembly rejected that,” he said

He challenged governors to work with the sane and account for the money they receive.

“The governor befriend the senate when they want money but once we pass the Bill and they get the money our friendship ends there. There are a few governors who do not want to appear before the senate to explain how they used the money they received. This is not right. We will foght for you but make sure you respond to our summons,” he added

He said three governors will soon be arrested for failing to honour summons.

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