Profound betrayal of Kenyans: Raila condems MPs for attempting to take control of county funds.

Raila clarified during a press briefing that the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill, 2024, is the reason behind the current standoff between the Senate and the National Assembly. The opposition leader noted that the MPs want to reduce the amount currently distributed to counties, claiming that this goes against the Constitution’s provisions.

“In actuality, the standoff is about a power grab and constitutional attack that MPs wish to carry out, which will amount to a brutal betrayal of the people and the overhaul of our governance structure,” Raila said. 

The leader of Azimio contended that if the bill is approved, the MPs will go beyond their authority in carrying out tasks that belong to the governors. 

In addition to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF) and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, MPs are planning to get their hands on more executive projects like the Road Maintenance Levy Fund. According to Raila, the law gives MPs three responsibilities: representation, legislation, and oversight.

“The parliament has never had the authority to carry out or implement programs without seriously impairing our governance system’s accountability, which would be detrimental to all of us.”

He maintained that such authority would incite hostility between the two Houses of Parliament and jeopardize devolution.

He went on to say, “This is not only unlawful and unconstitutional, but it also establishes a very risky precedent that, if left unchecked, will gradually strangle and ultimately kill counties.”