The South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB) has resolved to lobby Members of the National Assembly and Senators from the Bloc to defend and champion the SEKEB’s position when CRA revenue sharing formula is tabled in parliament.
Speaking in Machakos on Thursday when they met a section of CRA Commissioners during the extra-ordinary summit, Governors Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Dr. Julius Malombe (Kitui) and Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni) pointed out that “the CRA Revenue Sharing Formula consultations are immaterial if the amount of funds being shared among Counties is not adjusted upwards.”
This comes days after the Council of Governors on Tuesday rejected the Sh391.1 billion equitable revenue share approved by MPs, maintaining they will not take anything less than Sh439.5 billion.
“We note with concern the lack of data on water scarcity from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). We hold the position that water scarcity be included as a parameter for determining revenue allocation amongst counties.” They read to the press.
The county chiefs noted the devastating impact of heavy rains that have continued to pound the counties and destroyed homes, infrastructure, crops and property of unknown value noting they had taken swift measures to alleviate the situation and calling on the national government and organizations of goodwill to help in rescue efforts and resettlement.
On infrastructure, the governors want critical interventions by KENHA pointing out the Thika Garissa highway, Mombasa Nairobi Highway, Machakos Makindu road, Mwala Kithimani road, Kyandula Kamutei Kanyangi Kiusyani Kwa Vonza and Wote Kanyangi Kavisuni Katulani Wikililye roads as strategic infrastructures that need instant attention.
Further, the governors indicated joint efforts in spearheading efforts to protect key rivers, water bodies key among them the River Athi Catchment area.