Senate, National Assembly clash over county budgets

Lawmakers in the Senate are engaged in a fierce dispute with their colleagues in the National Assembly over a proposed reduction of over Sh15.3 billion in allocations to counties.

The impasse has escalated to the point where mediation is now necessary, as both sides struggle to find common ground on funding that is critical for various county projects.

The tension began when the National Assembly voted to reduce allocations for several projects previously approved by the Senate in the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill, 2024.

In a move that caught many off guard, the Assembly's members proposed amendments that have been met with strong opposition from senators.

On Wednesday, the Senate Finance and Budget Committee convened and overwhelmingly voted to reject the National Assembly's amendments.

This decision has set the stage for a mediation committee tasked with resolving the differences between the two legislative bodies.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot rallied his colleagues, urging them to stand firm against the cuts proposed by the National Assembly.

"We must protect our counties and ensure they receive the funds they need to serve their constituents effectively," he said, highlighting the importance of these allocations in sustaining local governance.

Contentious amendments

One of the most contentious amendments was the removal of Sh10.5 billion from the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF).

This fund plays a vital role in maintaining and improving the road infrastructure that counties rely on. The Senate argues that this reduction is not only unjust but also a direct violation of constitutional provisions aimed at safeguarding funding for essential services.

The National Assembly's amendments also included a reduction of Sh660 million from the Community Health Promoters (CHP) programme.

Initially allocated Sh3.2 billion, the funding has now been cut to Sh2.58 billion, limiting the number of health promoters that can be supported from 107,831 to just 86,133.

Senate Finance and Budget Committee chairperson Ali Roba emphasised the detrimental impact of these cuts, particularly as many staff members have already been recruited and assigned payroll numbers.

"The funds we allocate for health services are not just numbers on a page; they represent real people and real lives," Roba said, expressing frustration over the Assembly's decision to make such significant cuts.

In addition to the cuts affecting health and infrastructure, the National Assembly also eliminated Sh30.1 million designated for transferring museum functions and Sh7.4 million in court fines typically collected by county governments.

These funds are essential for the smooth operation of various local initiatives and services.

The situation further deteriorated with the removal of Sh1.1 billion in mineral royalties, funds that are collected on behalf of county governments.

"What logical reason can we give to justify the removal of money already collected on behalf of the county government?" the Mandera Senator posed.

The amendments also struck down an allocation of Sh528 million aimed at completing the headquarters for five counties.

Stalled projects

Governors had previously signed agreements to top up any missing amounts to ensure these critical projects were completed. The removal of this funding has led to concerns that these projects may now stall for years.

Additionally, the budget for the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) initiative faced a staggering reduction of Sh2.5 billion.

These parks are intended to stimulate economic growth and job creation within counties, and such a cut could hinder their development significantly.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna stated that the RMLF reduction contravenes constitutional provisions.

"Counties are entitled to a small percentage of the mineral wealth that is exploited in their areas. We must ensure that this entitlement is respected," he asserted.

Senator Oburu Oginga from Siaya described the deductions as arbitrary and disconnected from the realities faced by citizens.

"These cuts are part of what they are calling austerity measures, but they are done without considering the real impact on the people at home," he said.

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina accused National Assembly members of deliberately frustrating counties by denying them essential funds.

He urged the Senate to take a stand and reject the amendments that threaten to undermine local governance.