This archive report was first published on 25 July 2019.
On July 25, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed a gathering at Kirwara Boys High School in Gatanga during the burial of Peter Kenneth's mother, Rahab Wambui.
He responded to calls by governors and senators for more revenue allocation to counties, stating that the government had no money to offer.
According to the President, the government cannot print money, and the counties have been given what they have been allocated.
He urged the county leaders to account for the funds they have been given and curb corruption instead of demanding more funds.
President Kenyatta suggested that if the county leaders wanted to allocate more funds, they could consider reducing their salaries.
He stated, 'You can't sow what you have not planted. If the senators and the governors want to allocate more, they can only reduce their salaries, we are not Delarue to print money.'
The National Assembly had offered counties Sh316 billion, but the county leaders were demanding Sh335 billion.
The standoff led to the governors filing a case at the Supreme Court seeking an interpretation of the matter in accordance with the Constitution.
Chief Justice David Maraga indicated that the apex court would only hear the matter if it was the only option left on the table.
