This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
Published on August 5, 2020, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, has called for a delay in the implementation of the new revenue sharing plan. He believes that the plan should be delayed until more resources are allocated to counties and a win-win deal is reached.
Mr. Odinga made the remarks after senators failed to agree on the third generation revenue allocation formula for the seventh time. The senators adjourned to give room for negotiation.
According to Mr. Odinga, the current formula should be implemented to ensure that counties receive the amount they received in the last financial year. He emphasized that the new formula should be a win-win situation, where no county loses or gains.
Mr. Odinga has come under pressure from allies, especially from the Coast and northeast Kenya, who feel he has betrayed them by supporting the new formula. On the other hand, some of his Jubilee allies have questioned his party's commitment to his March 9, 2018, handshake with President Kenyatta.
However, a significant number of senators have defied party and regional loyalties to oppose the formula. Mr. Odinga believes that the government should allocate more money to devolved governments, at least 15 per cent from the current 10 per cent.
He pointed out that marginalizing some regions, particularly the Coast and Northeastern, started in colonial Kenya and continued after independence. Mr. Odinga emphasized that this should not be allowed to continue under the 2010 Constitution, which initiated devolution and created the Commission on Revenue Allocation and other institutions.
Mr. Odinga added that there should be a renewed push to fully devolve functions like health. He also pointed out that the commission should not ignore activities around pastoralism in the northeast and the blue economy in the Coast and lake region.
