Senators fault MPs’ over bid to shoot down revenue Bill

What you need to know:

  • Senate Finance Committee Chairman Billow Kerrow said the Bill may not be passed by the National Assembly despite going through mediation.
  • “There are still people who think the Senate should not play any role in the making of legislation. This House provides quality control. Whatever comes here is subjected to further analysis,” he added when he moved a Motion to adjourn the House for three weeks.
  • Siaya Senator James Orengo (ODM) defended the Senate’s role in the formulation of the Bill, saying the Supreme Court had given its decision in favour of the House.

Senators Thursday raised concerns about threats by a section of MPs to shoot down a revenue Bill, saying it was a ploy to paralyse counties and kill devolution.

It emerged yesterday that MPs were not happy with the changes to the Division of Revenue Bill, 2015.

The lawmakers said there were plans to throw out the Bill by their counterparts next week to stop counties from accessing the agreed Sh287 billion.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Billow Kerrow said the Bill may not be passed by the National Assembly despite going through mediation.

“We hear there are plans to reject the Bill that was agreed on through mediation, with the argument that the Senate does not have a role in Bills concerning money. This House should stand firm on this matter,” Mr Kerrow (Mandera, URP) told the Senate yesterday.

LEGISLATION

He said the Senate’s role in the draft law was being put in question again.

“There are still people who think the Senate should not play any role in the making of legislation. This House provides quality control. Whatever comes here is subjected to further analysis,” he added when he moved a Motion to adjourn the House for three weeks.

MPs will come back on Wednesday next week to look at the revenue Bill and a heated debate is expected.

They had proposed Sh283.7 billion for the counties in the coming financial year but the Senate wanted Sh291.4 billion. After intense negotiations on Wednesday, they agreed on Sh287 billion.

Siaya Senator James Orengo (ODM) defended the Senate’s role in the formulation of the Bill, saying the Supreme Court had given its decision in favour of the House.

“There is a decision by the Supreme Court on what Bills to come to this House. We want order to prevail,” he said.