This archive report was first published on 4 August 2020.
On Tuesday, the Senate voted to adjourn the debate on the division of revenue formula, giving counties a second chance to avoid losing funds.
According to Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, the adjournment was necessary to allow for more consultations and to ensure that counties are treated based on their different needs, rather than being treated equally.
As Senator Murkomen noted, 'Marsabit cannot be equal to Kiambu because they have different needs.'
Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kangata had been pushing for the third basis revenue formula, which would have seen 18 counties lose funds. However, President Uhuru Kenyatta's replacement of Senator Murkomen with Irungu Kangata has been seen as a move that has 'eaten big Ls' for the government.
With the adjournment, Senators have another chance to come back with a formula that will ensure no county loses funds. This gives President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga another chance to save their handshake.
As one Twitter user noted, 'Does Murkomen ever lose in senate?' The answer, at least for now, is no.
