Narok Senator Ledama Olekina on Sunday, August 9, appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to act to end the stalemate over the Third Basis Revenue Allocation Formula.
Ledama argued that his party leader, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, as well as President Uhuru Kenyatta were being misled over the matter.
He vehemently opposed the formula which prioritises population as the key factor in revenue allocation to counties, arguing that its implementation would lead to continued marginalisation of historically neglected regions.
Blaming 'busybodies' around the President for misleading him, the Senator advised Uhuru to take time to study the different proposals by himself.
The Senator also spoke strongly against attempts to influence Senators over the matter, calling for doctrines on separation of powers to be respected.
"The truth of the matter is that if President Uhuru Kenyatta wants to leave a legacy in this country, he needs to allow Senate to do its job. He needs to look at the numbers clearly.
"He needs to look at all the proposals. I would beseech him to take one hour alone and put all the proposals there; Sakaja's , Linturi's, Olekina's and the committee's. And then call in your team and say I think there's something you're not telling me," he stated.
Olekina stated that they would push for ODM leader Raila Odinga to undertake a similar process of reviewing the proposals by himself.
He accused Senate Majority Leader Irungu Kang'ata of lying to Kenyans that the third basis formula was the best formula possible for the country.
"I strongly believe that two gentlemen I respect a lot, Uhuru and Raila are being misadvised by busybodies. If you ever come to Parliament you will see some busybodies there running around like they control Parliament.
"No wonder Kang'ata was saying he had bosses," he stated, referencing an earlier statement by Kang'ata in which he confirmed consulting unnamed superiors on the formula.
The Narok Senator asserted that an ideal formula would use county functions as the main factor in deciding allocation as opposed to population.
Watch Ledama's interview below:
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