Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina on Thursday, September 10 accused Majority Whip Irungu Kang'ata of formulating a plan to sideline the Senate on the revenue formula stalemate.
The Senate failed to find consensus on the third basis formula in eleven sittings, with a select committee yet to find a middle ground on the formula.
He claimed that Kang'ata was behind a proposed amendment to the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act to facilitate disbursement of county funds without the formula.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Thursday, September 10, Kang'ata confirmed that the amendment would be brought before the house. He denied, however, that it was a move to bypass the Senate.
Ledama, a vocal member of the Team Kenya faction which has opposed the formula, vowed to oppose the amendment.
"Now Sen. Kang'ata wants to cleverly bypass the Senate by working with the National Treasury and National Assembly to amend the PFM act to release some funds to counties!
"If allowed to do so it will be the end of the Senate and devolution," he wrote.
Kang'ata sought to justify disbursement of funds to facilitate smooth running of county government operations.
"PFM amendment bill will be tabled before the house for debate and discussion.
"In any event, regulation 134 of the PFM regulations allow monies to be released to counties pending passage of CARA," he told Kenyans.co.ke.
He insisted, however, that assertions that the Senate was being pushed out of the revenue debate were false.
Kang'ata has struggled to rally support in the Senate for the revenue formula.
It has faced strong opposition from leaders of historically marginalized counties.
This is due to the formula's prioritization of population, which would see several counties in North Eastern and the Coast region lose out.
The Senate is expected to resume debate on the formula on Tuesday, September 14.
