Kilifi County Speaker Slams MPs Over Proposed Cuts to County Allocations
Kilifi County Assembly Speaker, Hon. Teddy Mwambire, has strongly criticized Members of Parliament for their stance on reducing the allocation to counties in the ongoing Division of Revenue Allocation Bill discussions. Speaking passionately, the Speaker called out MPs for what he described as a lack of sensitivity toward devolution, warning that such cuts would undermine the spirit of the Constitution.
“The members of parliament aren’t sensitive to devolution, which is why they don’t see any harm in reducing the allocation to the counties. It’s high time we all need to agree on the spirit of the Constitution by embracing devolution,” said Hon. Mwambire.
He further expressed support for the Senate, which has been advocating for a higher allocation to counties. The Senate is pushing for Ksh 400.12 billion to be allocated to county governments, while MPs are firm in their position to cap the amount at Ksh 380 billion.
“The Senate is not only talking sense but playing their exact role in the Division of Revenue Allocation Bill,” Mwambire added, underscoring the Senate’s responsibility to protect and promote the principles of devolution as enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution.
Mwambire’s remarks come amid a growing divide between the two Houses of Parliament on the amount of money to be allocated to county governments. While the Senate argues that counties require more resources to effectively deliver services to the grassroots, MPs are concerned about the national government’s budgetary constraints.
The ongoing debate is critical for the future of devolution, as the Division of Revenue Allocation Bill directly impacts the funding of counties, which are responsible for implementing crucial development projects and providing essential services to citizens. As the standoff continues, all eyes are on the Senate and the National Assembly to reach a compromise that balances the needs of the counties with the fiscal realities of the national government.
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