By ROSELYNE OBALA
Governors and senators yesterday held a consultative meeting on funding to counties, the first since the power feud erupted between the two groups.
The engagement is aimed at bringing various stakeholders together to deliberate on devolution of funds to counties for development projects.
The Senate Finance Committee and Council of Governors’ Financial Committee held talks on the Division of Revenue Allocation Bill 2014/2015.
Rules of engagement
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“It is good to agree on the rules of engagement for future understandings,” stressed the council’s finance chairman Ahmed Abdullahi Mohammed.
He reiterated that as chief officers, they are ready for consultations and not summonses.
Mohammed, who spoke to The Standard after the meeting, played down differences pitting them against the lawmakers.
“If the senators invite us for consultations we will gladly comply but when they issue summons, we believe it goes against the law and that is why we sought an advisory from the Supreme Court,” he said.
The governors met with the Billow Kerrow team where they commenced deliberations on the revenue allocation to counties.
Mohammed, who is also the Wajir Governor, disclosed that technical committee is engaging National Treasury, Commission for Revenue Allocation, Transition Authority and Council of Governors to arrive at negotiated figure.
He noted that governors wanted Sh240 billion up from Sh210 billion allocated last year.
“We have tried to climb down to reality and we are still discussing a figure that will be a win-win situation based on revenue collection,” he said.
At the same time, the governors and senators also discussed the transferred functions to counties.
The Treasury has indicated that it will increase Sh30 billion to counties, while governors have requested Sh35 billion more.
