Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata and his Elgeyo-Marakwet counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen, on Tuesday, August 11, faced off following a new County Revenue sharing formula.
It all started with a Twitter post that Kang'ata shared detesting the formula developed by Murkomen alongside Meru Senator Mithika Linturi that he claimed was set to see Murang'a and Nyeri Counties lose a huge chunk of funding.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Kang'ata further confirmed that the formula was poised to see the two counties lose millions each, more than they would have if the previous formula with a funding base of Ksh316 billion was approved.
"Linturi and Murkomen's new formula wants to punish Muranga and Nyeri counties.Why? What wrong have we done to you?
"The Linturi /Murkomen/Cheruiyot (Aaron, Kericho County Senator) amendment makes Muranga and Nyeri lose to counties unlike before. They rejected a suggestion that makes 39 counties gain and the remaining 8 covered under the Equilization fund," stated Kang'ata.
In response to the statement, Murkomen insinuated that Kang'ata is obsessed with him yet he is no longer the Senate's majority leader.
"Stop your obsession with me. You are now in leadership. Respect my position as a backbencher and lead," he stated.
Kang'ata also informed this writer that his statement was aimed at "Letting the public know those that are anti-Muranga and Nyeri counties."
This is the latest spat that has rocked the revenue sharing formula debate that has already been postponed a record seven times.
The Senate was set to discuss the controversial debate for the eighth time on Tuesday, August 8.
On Friday, August 7, a group of legislators led by 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 the reduction of the revenue baseline from Ksh316 billion, which they claim if used, will hurt some counties.
The Senate on Tuesday, August 4, voted to postpone the County Revenue Allocation formula debate after Murkomen rose, Pursuant to Senate Standing Order 105, seeking adjournment of the debate.
The postponement succeeded the Friday, July 28, adjournment for the senators to reach a consensus.
