As the debate on revenue sharing for counties, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen on Monday, August 10, declared that he would not support a formula that would disenfranchise marginalised counties.
In a statement, the Senator argued that even though his county was among the gainers in the proposed formula, it was possible to have a formula that would be of benefit to all regions.
"We must not allow counties that have been subjected to abject marginalisation for over 50 years to be cast back into the deep dark chasm of deprivation just when they are about to begin the upward trek towards regional development, we must all stand up and speak out against this economic bias.
"It is possible to have a formula where, while other populous counties gain, the less populous counties do not lose. It is possible to have a win-win formula," he declared.
The former Senate majority leader was speaking on behalf of senators Cleophas Malala (Kakamega), Mithika Linturi (Meru), Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Boniface Kabaka (Machakos) noting that the sharing of national revenue should not be a game of winners and losers.
Murkomen further maintained that the senate had been fighting to have national government release the billions meant for counties together with the devolved functions stating that the marginalised counties would lose now and later his people would be affected.
"Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. If we support injustice against other counties today, the same injustice will be meted against our counties tomorrow," he stated.
The Senator further stated that the country's unity was at stake threatened by selfishness and greed.
"We must endeavour to build a Senate and a Country that upholds fairness as the basis of decision making. We must rid Kenya of this deeply-entrenched mentality that when one holds public office, they must get something for themselves or enrich their kinsmen and their counties, by hook or by crook.
"As the Senate, we must stand for one Kenya and one People," he added.
On Friday, August 7, a group of legislators led by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen stated that they supported an amendment sponsored by Senator Mithika Linturi which was a further amendment to the one sponsored by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.
The senators declared that the reduction of the revenue baseline from Ksh316 billion, which they claim if used, will hurt some counties.
