An 18-member mediation committee meeting between senators and members of the National Assembly over the allocation of Ksh400 billion to counties ended at an impasse after the MPs issued an ultimatum to their Senate counterparts before proceeding with the discussions.
During the November 12 meeting, MPs led by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro urged the senators to speak to governors and compel them to drop a case they filed in court seeking to take control of the Road Maintainance Levy Fund (RMLF).
“If it is possible, our brother and sisters from the Senate, just the same way you are coming to talk to the executive, please also fight it and find some time to talk with the Council of Governors so that there is some level of consensus,” MP Nyoro requested.
The control of the Ksh10.5 billion RMLF currently lies with the National Assembly.
The National Assembly team proceeded to insist that the mediation process was political and not legal or judicial, noting the importance of the governors dropping the case in order to ensure the mediation process takes place unhindered.
However, the Senate team led by Mandera County Senator Ali Roba recused itself from the proposition saying, “That is not an assignment we are going to take just so we are clear.”
“We don’t even know when to begin telling them RMLF has become the condition for discussions to be held and unless you vacate the case in court, nothing is going to happen.”
The team has been tasked with determining whether the proposed Ksh20 billion county budget cut should be implemented or done away with.
As of its second meeting, a stalemate remains as the Senate team continues pushing for an allocation of Ksh400 billion for Counties while MPs insist on capping the amount at Ksh380 billion.
Meanwhile, the cash crunch in the counties continues as governors report a halt in operations due to a lack of funds.
The Ksh20 billion cut was proposed by President William Ruto in a communique to Parliament following the disintegration of the Finance Bill, 2024.
The final decision lies within the National Assembly and should they fail to approve it, the counties will receive the Ksh400 billion allocation that the senators have been fighting for.
