This archive report was first published on 7 August 2020.
On August 7, 2020, Deputy President William Ruto expressed support for amendments proposed by Senators Johnson Sakaja of Nairobi and Mithika Linturi of Meru to resolve the revenue sharing stalemate between counties.
According to Ruto, only a united and patriotic senate can break the stalemate. He stated via Twitter, "The emerging consensus on the revenue formula by Sakaja and Linturi is a good path towards a win-win outcome where populous counties receive reasonable increase while the others make major savings from otherwise huge loses is a big stride in pursuit of a win-win outcome."
A section of senators, led by Kipchumba Murkomen of Elgeyo Marakwet, had previously declared support for a blend of Sakaja and Linturi proposals as the solution to the revenue sharing formula impasse.
Sakaja's proposals are currently being debated on the floor of the house, while Linturi's amendments will retain most of the parameters in Sakaja's formula, with the only difference being a reduction in the base from the proposed Sh316 billion to between Sh250 billion and Sh270 billion.
However, any amount above the agreed base will be subjected to Sakaja's proposal.
Senator Murkomen claimed that there have been hidden moves in the Senate concerning the basis for allocating revenue among counties.
Senator Sakaja is in dire need of numbers to have his proposal pass through the senate, as resolving the stalemate will help him redeem his tainted image.
The BBI handlers, who have been backing Sakaja, are now supporting Irungu's proposal, which has been rejected due to concerns that it will hugely benefit Mt. Kenya, sections of Rift Valley, and Nyanza, but will see up to 19 counties lose in terms of revenue allocation.
Both Murkomen and Linturi are politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto.
