How revenue sharing became Uhuru’s biggest headache

President Uhuru Kenyatta is faced with a challenge to come up with a formula to share  allocations to 47 without disputes.

His handshake partner and ODM boss Raila Odinga could help break the ice but still, the President is facing an uphill task in pushing through the formula that has been rejected by at least 25 Senators.

Eighteen of them senators would have their counties lose up-to Sh17 billion if the formula is adopted.

Many senator’s from Raila’s Nyanza backyard and parts of Deputy President William Ruto’s Rift Valley turf rejected the formula. Even regions that that stood a chance to gain from the formula also opposed it in solidarity with the losers.

This leaves the president exposed as Raila and Ruto allies seem headed to the same bed, politically. The large strange bed has,Fred Outa (Kisumu), Ochillo Ayacko (Migori), Sam Ongeri (Kisii), James Orengo (Siaya), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi).

The formula should be supported by at least 24 out of the 47 delegations (one vote per county) to pass.

“Yes, my county is gaining some millions but I will defend every county including Migori and others, because sharing is biblical and while today Migori is gaining, tomorrow I will need the support of my neighbour if I am losing,” said Ayacko.

Counties from the marginalised and less populous regions of Northeastern, lower Eastern, Coast and parts of Nyanza and Rift Valley opposed the proposal.

The President supports this contentious method proposed by the Senate Finance and Budget Committee and has instructed his supporters in the House to lobby for its passage. This heavy is destined to fail given the growing list of the opponents.

Counties in President Kenyatta’s Mt Kenya backyard will gain Sh300 million and above, except Tharaka Nithi which will lose Sh367 million if the proposed method passed.

This is attributed to last year’s population data that classified the region as the most populous and this proposed formula gives more weight on the population as opposed to the current formula method that bases it’s priorities land mass.

Minority leader James Orengo has been instructed to seek Raila’s intervention.

“We are consulting the former PM as well as other national leaders. The stalemate impacts all counties and everyone, hence our endeavour,” Majority Chief Whip Irungu Kang’ata said.

But the two senators said it was not clear when a revised formula will be tabled on the floor, A delay in tabling the proposal may plunge counties into serious cash crisis.

Garissa faces a reduction of Sh1.2 billion, Tana River Sh1.5 billion, Mombasa Sh1.6 billion, Kwale Sh995 million, Narok Sh887 million and Isiolo Sh879 million.

Kilifi will lose Sh878 million, Turkana Sh450 million, Kitui Sh219 million, Makueni Sh302 million, Samburu Sh294 million, Taita Taveta Sh388 million, Tharaka Nithi Sh367 million, and Vihiga Sh361 million.

The top gainers include Nandi (Sh1.4 billion), Uasin Gishu (Sh1.2 billion), Nakuru (Sh1.2 billion), Kakamega (Sh997 million), Kiambu (Sh986 million),  Bungoma (Sh837 million), Kirinyaga (Sh779 million), West Pokot (Sh777 million), Baringo (Sh722 million), Bomet (Sh673 million) and Siaya (Sh642 million).

Odinga and odm lawmakers have been used to fill up spaces left after DP Ruto and his allies were kicked out. He may sit and watch or come to the rescue but the entry of Wiper Party and KANU must have sent mixed signals to Odinga.