Counties to remain broke as Parliament proceeds on recess

County governments will continue facing financial turmoil after the National Assembly on Thursday, once again, rejected amendments made by the Senate on the now controversial Division of Revenue Bill.

The National Assembly dealt with the Bill in a record one hour, and emphatically rejected the Senate’s amendments that increased the proposed allocation to devolved units from Ksh.316.5 billion to Ksh.335.6 billion.

Members of the Assembly accused the Senate of engaging them in a a never-ending ping pong game, while dismissing claims that the counties will face any crisis due to the stalemate.

House Majority Leader Aden Duale said the counties are guaranteed at least 15℅ of the latest audited revenue accounts as approved by the National Assembly, although that would be way below the Ksh.316 billion what the MPs are proposing.

“No! We can’t allow this, we will reject, and we will go to the mediation and we will send the same team that negotiated the first time, if we have to change we will send even some more hardliners,” said Duale.

The two Houses proceed for a month-long recess, even as county staff threaten to down their tools beginning next week.

The Senate and National Assembly are expected to appoint members to the mediation committee to try and reach a common ground even as each continue to harden their stands.