Deputy President William Ruto has called for dialogue between the National Assembly and the Senate to resolve the counties’ revenue allocation stalemate.
Dr Ruto said there was no need for the Senate to take the matter to court, yet it could be solved amicably through dialogue.
Speaking during a tour of development projects in Tharaka Nithi County yesterday, the DP said consultation and cooperation are key to resolving issues pertaining to revenue allocation as enshrined in the Constitution.
“I want to persuade them (National Assembly and Senate) to work together by engaging in discussions and cooperation with various arms of the government as enshrined in our Constitution in solving the issue of revenue allocation. There is no need to resort to mechanisms that can bring conflict,” he said.
“It’s not necessary to take drastic steps like going to court because the move will only benefit lawyers. Let us sit down and come up with an amicable solution,” he said.
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Present were Senate Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki, MPs Gitonga Murugara (Tharaka), Beatrice Nkatha (Woman Rep), Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Antony Kiai (Mukurweini), James Kaguya (Embakasi North), John Wambugu (Kirinyaga Central), Mpuru Aburi (EALA) and Jane Kihara (Naivasha).
Others were Patrick Munene (Chuka Igambangombe), Mithika Linturi (Meru Senator), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua Woman Rep), Josephat Kabebea (Tigania East), Halima Mucheke (nominated) and Deputy Governor Nyamu Kagwima (Tharaka Nithi).
Available resources
The DP said leaders should appreciate that revenue allocation should be based on the resources available.
He said there was a need to strike a balance over the matter by working together to attain an amicable solution.
The lawmakers, led by Prof Kindiki, Linturi and Mbiuki, dismissed proposals that a loser in the presidential election should automatically become a prime minister.
Kindiki said Kenya was a democratic country guided by the Constitution, especially on issues of elections.
“There is no way someone who has lost a presidential election can form the same government with the winner. That’s like taking this country to one party state where there was no Opposition to engage in checks and balances of the government,” he said.
