The National Assembly has adopted the new Fourth Basis for Sharing Revenues among county governments that will now be used in the financial years 2025/2026 to 2029/2030, with a warning to governors to use resources prudently.
The lawmakers, while adopting the new formula, regretted that despite an annual increase in allocation to counties, there is little to show in terms of development from devolved units.
The lawmakers warned governors that it will not be business as usual, as they will not continue to approve billions of taxpayers’ money that is not used for the intended purposes.
The new formula adopted by both Houses, the population will account for 45 percent, equal share of 35 percent, and poverty level 12 while the geographical size will account for eight percent.
Chairman budget and appropriation committee, Samuel Atandi, pointed out that the resources approved by the House are supposed to improve lives and service delivery to the people at the grassroots level.
“There are however some counties that have refused to graduate in the provision of services to the people like they don’t employ doctors, they don’t build health facilities,” Mr Atandi said.
“The resources they have been given in the past, they have not been able to undertake development projects,” he added.
Endebes MP Robert Pukose said it is time counties live up to the expectation and the spirit of devolution as espoused in the 2010 constitution.
“Some of the counties instead of using money for development have resorted to use the money to employ goons which they use to move from one constituency to the other intimidating MPs, I don’t think that’s where we want to go as a country,” Dr Pukose said.
Dr Pukose, who is also the vice chairperson of the budget committee, regretted that in the past, money sent to counties has been misused and looted with no meaningful development to show for it.
“I hope counties will be able to use these resources for development. We have had cases where resources disappear with no meaningful development. Money is being stolen left, right and centre in counties,” Dr Pukose said.
“When devolution came, each county was expected to have meaningful development. With this sharing formula, Trans Nzoia for instance will have an extra Sh100 million, we want to see meaningful development,” he added.
Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro said there has been a progression of monies sent to counties over the years, but development does not match what has been received so far by the devolved units.
“There have been progressive efforts on increasing the amounts that go to counties, an indication that money is going down to the people and villages, but the question we need to ask ourselves is that does this money really gets to the people and is it used for the particular purpose it is intended for? Mr Osoro said.
“About 70 percent of the money we send to counties does not have an impact on the people. Kenyans are still struggling to get to see what these billions we are sending to counties are doing,” he added.
Article 216 (1) (b) of the Constitution mandates the Commission on Revenue Allocation to make recommendations concerning the basis for the equitable sharing of revenue raised nationally among the county governments.
Further, Article 217 (2) (b) stipulates that in determining the basis of revenue sharing, the Senate shall request and consider recommendations from the Commission.
In accordance with Article 217(1), this basis will be used to share revenue among county governments for the next five financial years, from 2025/2026 to 2029/30
