Deadlock as senators take on MPs, demand higher allocation to counties
The National Assembly had settled on Sh405.1 billion, but the Senate raised this by Sh60 billion to Sh465 billion, prompting a heated negotiation.
Talks on the Division of Revenue Bill, 2025, have hit a fresh deadlock after senators maintained a tough stance in mediation efforts with the National Assembly, demanding a higher share of funds for counties.
The Senate, initially pushing for Sh435 billion, later adjusted to Sh428 billion but still stood far above the National Assembly’s proposed Sh409.5 billion. The mediation process became necessary after the two Houses approved different figures for the 2025/2026 county equitable share.
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The National Assembly had settled on Sh405.1 billion, but the Senate raised this by Sh60 billion to Sh465 billion, prompting a heated negotiation.
Mandera Senator Ali Roba opened the session on Monday by urging National Assembly members to accept a Sh435 billion allocation, arguing that this would ensure counties are properly funded to execute their devolved responsibilities.
Senator Ali emphasised that functions shifted from the national government must be accompanied by adequate funding, as pointed out by Senator Eddy Oketch, who highlighted that Sh2 billion was allocated for maternity services.
“Primary healthcare is devolved and, therefore, this money should be sent to the counties,” noted Senator Oketch.
Elgeyo Marakwet’s William Kisang’ urged the National Assembly to adopt the most recent audited accounts to determine counties’ revenue share.
Kisang’s views were echoed by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who stated, “The Senate is not seeking an additional allocation for counties so that the national government’s state departments can lose, but pushing so that counties can be given what is rightfully theirs.”
But MPs from the National Assembly resisted the Senate’s proposals, warning that the country’s current financial outlook made higher allocations unrealistic.
Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi pointed to the weak performance of the Finance Bill 2025 as a reason to tread carefully.
“The Finance Bill is not generating much revenue. Where will we get the additional funds?” questioned Aldai MP Marianne Kitany, while Kilifi North MP Owen Baya called on Senators to stop working with theoretical figures.
Mombasa MP Zamzam Mohamed added, “With the current inflation and economic crisis, we need to think through so that we can settle on a reasonable figure.”
After lengthy deliberations, the two sides failed to strike a deal, with the Senate lowering its demand to Sh428 billion and the National Assembly adjusting to Sh409.5 billion, leaving the fate of the Bill undecided.
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