Governors win round one of Equilisation Fund bid

Governors have won the first round in the administration of the Sh3.4 billion Equalisation Fund after a proposed law to have the kitty managed at the constituency level was lost in the National Assembly.

The Constitution of Kenya amendment Bill, sponsored by Lati Lelelit (Samburu West) seeks to amend Article 204 of the Constitution to ensure money allocated to 14 marginalised counties is managed at the constituency instead of the national level.

The Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA) has recommended that funds be disbursed to Turkana, Lamu, Mandera, Wajir, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Samburu, Marsabit, West Pokot, Narok, Kwale, Garissa, Kilifi and Isiolo.

MPs yesterday voted 226 in support of the Bill, but they fell short of the requisite number by 19 votes.

Affected counties

The legislators from the affected counties failed to raise the two-thirds majority that would have resulted in 233 votes and accused colleagues of sabotage.

Speaker Justin Muturi had a difficult time conveying the results to a chaotic House.

"The Bill is lost at the third reading. The vote is 226 against 22," ruled Muturi, which was immediately followed by a shouting match from the proponents of the Bill who wanted a repeat of the vote and those who voted against it.

Muturi directed that another vote be held. However, he declined to allow the exercise to take place immediately.

"The Standing Orders provide that the speaker can recommit a particular question for a further voting within five sittings from the day the voting was taken," he specified. The Speaker declined to give in to pressure from MPs to take another vote.