Kang’ata accuses Rift Valley senators of sabotaging gov’t backed revenue formula

Senate Majority Chief Whip Irungu Kang’ata is now accusing Senators from Deputy President William Ruto’s backyard of sabotaging his efforts to have the revenue standoff resolved.

The Murang’a Senator claims that majority of counties in the Rift Valley region are gaining millions in the new formula but have been whipped to oppose it for political gain.

The Senators are headed for yet another showdown in the chambers on Monday, with the government side keen on having the revenue share debate concluded once and for all.

Senators who back a compromise formula maintain that they will not allow the government-backed formula based on population to pass as it disadvantages 19 counties.

“Some Senators from Rift Valley come from counties that will benefit but they decided that they reject the formula…that tells you that someone must have called them,” said Kang’ata.

Meru County is one of the populous counties that is set to gain, but Senator Mithika Linturi has rejected the formula.

Kericho’s Aaron Cheruiyot is also opposed yet his county would gain millions from the new formula. Bomet’s Christopher Lagat is opposed to the formula while Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, a key ally of DP William Ruto, is opposed to the formula pushing for a win-win formula where no county will lose its revenue.

Claims of sinister moves have emerged with some senators allegedly having their bank accounts frozen over what they termed as intimidation.

On Monday the debate may yet be adjourned again due to fears that the government side will lose any vote to the team that backs compromise.

Meru Senator Mithika Linturi’s amendment and Nominated Senator Petronila Were’s amendments to the original committee report will feature heavily.