Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has challenged the proposal by Members of Parliament to decrease the monies allocated to the devolved units, terming the calls as unrealistic.

Speaking on a live TV interview on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the senator hit out at the MPS stating that the prevalence of cases of graft in the counties does not automatically warrant a reduction of monies.

Nyutu further argues that lawmakers would be denying their constituents the right to more resources since constituencies are domiciled in counties.

“MPS should not at all say that more resources shouldn’t be allocated to counties. Remember this is in the Constitution. It provides for devolution that at least 15 per cent of national income should go to counties. You cannot tell Kenyans that resources should not go to counties because some governors are engaging in malpractices and stealing of funds,” Nyutu argued.

Nyutu proposes the implementation of tougher measures to curb the runaway theft of public resources as a remedy to the problem.

“What should happen is that any governor caught stealing or embezzling funds should face the law. The answer should be devolved as much as possible and governors held accountable if caught stealing or theft and action be taken against them,” he said.

 “If you say there is stealing in the counties, what about stealing at the national level where there’s rampant stealing with documented cases? The MPS need to be realistic in their recommendations,” he added.

Nyutu’s sentiments come amid an ongoing battle over the control of National Government Constituiency Development (NG-CDF) funds with MPS arguing for the reinstatement of the monies.

The remarks also mirror those made by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga regarding the allocation of more funds to governors.

During the burial function of his departed aide last Saturday, Raila called for the MPS to cede the CDF functions to counties in what could pit the ODM leader on a collision course with the lawmakers.

“I have also told the MPS to give CDF funds back to counties and not to MPS. MPS have no business concerning roads. The role of the members of parliaments is clearly stated: legislation, representation and oversight. How do you oversight when you yourself are actually implementing? Raila posited.