Governors start fight for more funds

Governors have finally kicked off the process of amending the Constitution to compel the national government to allocate 40 per cent of revenue to county governments.

The structure of the amendments is set to clip the National Assembly’s powers to decide revenue allocation, put more money under the authority of the governors and upgrade the Senate into an Upper House in the bicameral Parliament.

A series of national rallies to drum up support and collect signatures to force a referendum will start on August 31.

Senator opposition

Chairman of the Council of Governors Isaac Ruto said the proposed amendments were also meant to give the Senate absolute powers over the Revenue Allocation Bill to avoid unnecessary influence by other authorities.

“We are doing this to cushion devolution from saboteurs,” Mr Ruto warned. But Kericho Senator Charles Keter criticised the governors’ move calling it sensational and unnecessary. “They have come up with lavish budgets meant to plunder public resources. We are afraid that putting more money in their hands is a risk,” he stated.