The Senate is ‘possessed by demons’, says Governor Kiraitu
By Dorcas Mbatia, July 31, 2020
Meru County Governor Kiraitu Murungi has criticized the Senate for ‘trying to bring injustice’ in the country over the revenue allocation formula.
Kiraitu who said the house has been invaded by unknown demons, accused a section of the senators of playing politics of self interest in stead of focusing on reality and growth of devolved units
“I don’t know the kind of demon that has invaded the senate instead of bringing justice in sharing of revenue, some are just playing politics of self-interest when counties need funds to complete projects and fully implement devolution,” said Governor Kiraitu.
Speaking on Thursday as he donated 2000 hand washing water tanks to various churches, he said revenue should be shared equally and equitably across the 47 counties.
He added that those counties which are historically maginalised should be given additional funding support from the 20 billion kitty set aside in the sharing revenue criteria to boost the maginalised areas catch up with the developed counties.
” There is additional Sh. 20 billion funds set aside for sharing among the maginalised and counties with historical injustices so the sh. 316 billion need to be shared equally cross the counties without looking at huge landmass and population,” he further added.
He further added the new CRA formula if adopted without critical thinking and reality analysis may end up killing devolution growth in some counties.
He said counties are currently facing financial crisis urging the Senate to go back to the drawing board before they politicize the new revenue sharing formula.
The county chief at the same cried foul that they have not paid workers for about two months now due to a delay of funds.
“Health workers are threatening to down tools over unpaid salaries. At this time we are fighting Covid – 19 pandemic, we cannot risk halting service in our health facilities so the senate should stop joking around and instead allow justice to all counties in terms of fund allocation, ” he added.
The debate has heated in the senate following the past criteria of Arid and Semi-Arid (ASALs) receiving more funds per capita more than the populated counties.