This archive report was first published on 7 August 2020.
On Friday, August 7, 2020, a group of senators led by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen issued conditions aimed at ending the revenue debate in the Senate.
The senators, who described themselves as like-minded, supported an amendment sponsored by Senator Mithika Linturi, which was a further amendment to the one sponsored by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.
According to the senators, the Linturi Amendment retains the parameters contained in Senator Sakaja's original amendment but lowers the amount that will be shared to the counties using the existing resolution. The amount is expected to range between Ksh250Billion and Ksh270 Billion, with the exact amount to be agreed upon once the negotiations are complete.
The senators also support the reduction of the revenue baseline from Ksh316 billion, which they claim will hurt some counties if used.
"Anything above the agreed figure as indicated above shall be shared using the formula proposed by the committee," Senator Mithika Linturi stated.
The group of senators has mandated Sakaja to work with his Meru counterpart to ensure that they present the final document on or before Monday, August 10, 2020. They believe that the proposed solution will bring an end to the prolonged debate on the matter and that the Senate will pass the final version unanimously on Tuesday, August 11, 2020.
On Tuesday, August 4, debate of the passing of the revenue sharing formula collapsed as Murkomen moved to adjourn the sitting. According to the senators, the Elgeyo Marakwet representative moved an adjournment motion to give room for dialogue and a consensus on the best resolution which protects the interests of all counties.
34 senators voted to adjourn the motion against 26 who opposed its adjournment. One senator was absent.
