Raila to Uhuru: Reject Revenue Bill

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta not to assent to the Division of Revenue Bill 2013 that will deny county governments Sh48 billion.

He said devolution was the central selling point of the Constitution as it envisaged decentralisation of resources in order to spur development in the whole country.

The former premier condemned the move by the National Assembly to quash the decision by Senate to increase funding to county governments.

He claimed that there were signs by anti-reformers to scuttle implementation of the Constitution, especially devolution.

The Senate had amended the Division of Revenue Bill 2013 from the Sh210 billion it had earmarked for devolved governments to Sh258 billion only for Parliament to repress the change.

“Why do they want the Sh48 billion to remain with the central government yet we need development at county level?” asked Mr Odinga.

He was speaking during a thanksgiving ceremony for Vihiga Senator George Khaniri in Emuhaya constituency Saturday.

He, at the same time, accused National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi of curtailing press freedom.

The former premier said Mr Muturi should borrow a leaf from his predecessor Kenneth Marende and be impartial instead of making rulings that suggest he was bowing to partisan interest.

“The media should be allowed to cover parliamentary proceedings for they are our link to what goes on there,” said Mr Odinga.

Speaking at the same function, Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula said that devolution will be killed if the President ignores its input and assents to the Bill presented to him by the National Assembly.

Mr Wetang’ula said that the Sh210 billion proposed by the National Assembly was only enough to pay salaries for county staff yet what people need is development.

“The Senate decided to increase funding for county governments to ensure they get more for development projects,” said Mr Wetang’ula.

The Bungoma senator argued that the supremacy battle between the upper and lower houses was diversionary and will end up crippling devolution.

He said Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro had already written a letter to President Kenyatta warning that the move by the National Assembly to revoke Senate’s amendment was unconstitutional.

Mr Wetang’ula also cautioned the government that Cord will be forced to move to the Supreme Court to seek interpretation on the level of decorum Mr Odinga should receive.

“Mr Odinga is a VIP and he should be accorded that privilege or we shall be forced to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation over the same,” said Mr Wetang’ula.

While citing Mr Odinga’s predicament at the hands of airport officials where he was denied VIP privileges, Mr Wetang’ula urged President Uhuru and his deputy to ensure civil servants accord senior citizens the respect they deserve.