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Senate to hold special sitting for County funds Bill

Speaker of the Senate Ekwee Ethuro recalled Senators who have been on recess to debate the Bill to ensure the constitutional deadline of April 10 where both Houses must have debated and passed the Bill is met.

Speaker of the Senate Ekwee Ethuro recalled Senators who have been on recess to debate the Bill to ensure the constitutional deadline of April 10 where both Houses must have debated and passed the Bill is met.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 9 – The Senate will Thursday afternoon hold a special sitting to debate the Division of Revenue Bill which outlines the formula for sharing funds between the National Government and the 47 County governments.

Speaker of the Senate Ekwee Ethuro recalled Senators who have been on recess to debate the Bill to ensure the constitutional deadline of April 10 where both Houses must have debated and passed the Bill is met.

“Notice is given to all Senators that pursuant to Standing Order 29, on the request of the Senate Majority leader with the support of the requisite number of Senators, I have appointed Thursday, 9th April as a day of the special sitting of the Senate. The business to be transacted at the sitting shall be consideration of the division of Revenue Bill, as passed by the National Assembly without amendments on Wednesday 25th march 2015,” read a letter by the Speaker of the Senate.

Sh258 billion has been recommended by the Commission for Revenue Allocation as the equitable share to be incorporated in the budget to be presented in June.

“Resource allocation is a negotiated process and that is the far we have been able to negotiate, if the Senate can help us further and get additional resources we will be happy,” said CRA Director Lineth Oyugi when she appeared before the Senate Finance Committee.

After the revenue Bill is adopted, the House will then move to the County Allocation of Revenue Bill which determines how much each county will get.

This Bill is crucial and once it’s adopted, Counties will prepare their budgets for the 2015/16 financial year.

During the public hearing on the Bill conducted by the Senate Finance and Economic Affairs Committee, Senators raised questions over the independence of the Commission for Revenue Allocation, further accusing the Executive of arm-twisting it to adjust its proposals on the equitable share.

READ: Governors face Sh8.1bn salaries dilemma

They took issue with the fact that CRA lowered their proposals from Sh275 billion to Sh258 billion, further questioning why County funds were allocated to institutions like the National Youth Service which is under the Devolution Ministry.

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After debating and passing the Division of Revenue Bill the Senate will adjourn until April 28.

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