This archive report was first published on 28 August 2019.
On Wednesday, a crucial meeting of the parliamentary committee tasked with mediating the division of revenue bill was disrupted due to a lack of quorum. The committee, led by Chairman Kimani Ichung'wa, was forced to adjourn the meeting after several members failed to attend.
According to sources, members present expressed their reservations about continuing with the sitting, citing the fact that the decisions made on the bill would be null and void due to a lack of quorum. The parliamentary standing orders are clear on the number of members required to make up a quorum.
The committee had previously adjourned its meeting last week due to disagreements over the shareable revenue to the counties. National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale had hinted at the possibility of reaching a consensus over the bill when the committee meets.
The division of revenue bill has been a contentious issue between the two houses of parliament, with counties seeking an allocation of 335 billion shillings for the 2019/20 financial year and the national government insisting on 316.5 billion shillings.
