Economy

County Bills major test for Senators as sittings resume

clerk

Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI

Pressure is piling on the Senate to conclude a number of county-related Bills as it resumes its sittings today after a two-month recess.

Senate Majority Whip Beatrice Elachi and the Clerk, Jeremiah Nyegenye have asked legislators to focus on passing key Bills to anchor devolution.

The officials said with the General Elections 18 months away, the Senate should focus on enacting laws in the first six months of the Fourth Session to beat challenges of quorum hitches.

The Senate is particularly focusing on the Division of Revenue Bill 2016 which shares resources raised nationally between the national and county governments.

It is also keen on ensuring that key laws touching on devolution such as the Mining Bill are passed into law.

“The staffers of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) have had the opportunity to conduct introspection and circumspection in anticipation of the Fourth Session of the 11th Parliament. Being the full session preceding the General Elections, challenges will be there but they are not insurmountable,” Mr Nyegenye who is also the secretary to the PSC said.

The Senate, which oversees devolution, will be celebrating its third anniversary in March.

The House has been at the forefront of advocating for increased funds to the devolved units.

In the financial year 2015/16, counties were allocated Sh287 billion after the Senate and National Assembly reached a compromise on the Division of Revenue Bill, 2015.

The National Assembly had proposed Sh283.7 billion to go to the counties but the Senate demanded Sh291 billion from the National Treasury.

The Treasury has proposed to allocated the 47 county governments Sh290 billion in the next financial year.

There has been a year-on-year increase in the amount of monies sent by the National Treasury to the counties from Sh210 billion in 2013 and Sh226 billion in 2014.

“It’s only natural for more funds to be allocated to the counties in the 2016/17 budget,” Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior said.

Mr Nyegenye added, “The people of Kenya have tasted devolution and banished the thoughts of centrism. There is clearly no going back. Whatever its shortcomings and setbacks, devolution is here to stay. Centrism is not an option.”

With elections imminent, quorum hitches are bound to be experienced in both the National Assembly and the Senate from time to time, further stalling passing of key legislation.