Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during a presser today in Nairobi// Photo Courtesy
Former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has come out, tongue wagging in attacking Members of Parliament over standoff in revenue allocation to counties due to the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill, 2024.
The bill, sponsored by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, aims to provide for equitable revenue sharing among the national and county governments.
While at a press briefing, Odinga termed the standoff as an assault to devolution.
“In the reality, the standoff is about a power grab and assault on the constitution that MPs want to execute and which will amount to a cruel betrayal of the people and the overhaul of our structure of governance,” Raila noted.
Raila said that the MPs will have more roles if the bill is passed, and this will be against the Constitution. He affirmed that MPs should not be allowed to execute projects that they are not assigned.
“MPs are also scheming to dip their fingers on the more executive projects such as Road Maintenance Levy Fund in addition to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF) and the National Govt Affirmative Action Fund. The law assigns three roles to MPs; representation, legislation and oversight,” Raila said.
The leader warned of dire consequences should the MPs be assigned the roles of executing such programs. He affirmed that there will be enmity between the Senate and the National Assembly if such is put into consideration. Counties will, additionally be left for the dead if the MPs do not abide by stipulations of the Constitution.
“Execution or implementation of programs has never been and can never be the job for parliament without creating a serious accountability crisis in our governance system to the detriment of us all,” adding that, “This is not only illegal and unconstitutional but sets an extremely dangerous precedence which if allowed to stand will lead to a slow but steady strangulation and eventual killing of counties.”
The leader disapproved a recommendation by MPs of Ksh.380 billion allocation to counties, urging that the Ksh.400 billion already stipulated in the Appropriations Act which is currently in force should be maintained.
The African Union chairmanship contestant, furthermore warned the MPs to stick to their roles, calling them greedy.
“The greed of MPs, they want to be constructing roads and health centres, they want to be contractors themselves. Who is going to oversight the government if the oversight themselves is the implementor?”
Raila Odinga also stated that it’s unworthy to blame county Governors for underdevelopment urging that the county heads should be left to control such projects.
“I find it very unfair that Governors are being blamed for lack of development in their counties. Members of Parliament should move away from trying to construct roads, health centres, and schools. Those are the responsibilities of the county government.’’
He asked both the National Assembly and the Senate to work together in ensuring the stalemate is resolved, for the benefits of the people they serve.
“People know the roles tied to the positions they run for, and no one should change their roles and responsibilities. It’s urgent for Both houses to unite and ensure county governments get their rightful share of funds to serve the people,’’ opined Odinga
