Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has said the final decision on the revenue allocation standoff between Counties and the government rests with the National Assembly and the Senate. This comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta urged Governors and Senators to work with the funds they currently have and use the money well, adding that the national government doesn’t have more money to disburse to Counties, “We don’t have a money-making factory.”
Governors, Senators want Counties to be allocated Kshs 335 billion, Kshs 19 billion more than the current improved government offer of Kshs 316 billion. “The decision remains with the Senate and the National Assembly, we have done our best but we still stand on the issue of being given Kshs 335 billion,” said Oparanya. The Council of Governors chairman said Counties must be funded and it’s not a matter of taking or refusing the offer currently proposed. He has affirmed that what the Senate and National Assembly agree will be accepted.
Speaking on Thursday, President Kenyatta had shut down the Counties’ plea of more money, saying if MPs or Senators want to allocate more money, they should take salary cuts to avail more funds. The Council of Governors took the case to the Supreme Court to seek a way forward and hearing started on Tuesday.