Claims of intimidation, threats and bribery rocked the Senate debate on the revenue allocation formula as they failed for seventh straight time to pass the proposal and give cash to starving counties.
The debate was adjourned after senators opposing the disputed formula ganged up to adjourn the proceedings.
The adjournment motion was moved by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, an ally of the Deputy President William Ruto who is on record criticising the disputed formula as he urged the senators to explore a formula that will ensure all counties gain.
“There is an opportunity for the Senate to have a conversation around this subject matter and come to a conclusion that those who are losing by a huge margin may perhaps lose a little and those gaining are gaining a little and then we keep our country together,” Murkomen said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga and Kanu’s Gideon Moi made efforts to come to a common ground on the controversial formula over the weekend.
Senator from the Coastal regions snubbed the meeting while only one senator, Yusuf Haji turned up from the North Eastern region. The two regions are the biggest losers in the disputed cash sharing formula.
Former Majority Leader, Senator Murkomen said the controversy had polarised the country between losers and gainers.
Senators from the losing counties have ganged up and persuaded at least seven of their colleagues from the gaining camp to shoot down the proposal.
Under the banner of ‘One Kenya’, senators from Northeastern, lower Eastern, Coast, parts of Rift Valley and parts of Nyanza made up the team.
It comprises of youthful senators Mutula Kilonzo Jr of Makueni, Johnson Sakaja of Nairobi, Cleophas Malala of Kakamega and Ledama Ole Kina of Narok. They managed to vote for the adjournment after winning over the hearts of two senators – Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) and Mithika Linturi (Meru) who initially supported the disputed formula.
KB has has established that the move to adjourn the debate was as a result of pressure, intimidation and threats.
“Pressure was too much but objectively, we wanted to give dialogue a chance. We want to go through all the amendments and build consensus,” Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr said.
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina said they had been intimidated, coerced and threatened because of their stand on the proposal.
He further claimed that Senator Sakaja was trailed and threatened and when the visibly emotional Sakaja took to the floor, he said he had a difficult weekend and spent it outside his home.
He said he police officers were trailing him over the entire weekend with ‘a pending arrest’. “On Friday, I was being trailed by police officers in a vehicle registration number KBZ 317W and I saw them and they left. I raised it with the IGP but he didn’t t respond,” Sakaja said.
The youthful senator further narrated that he arrived at the parliament at 5am to escape an arrest that had been planned to ensure he did not show up in the house for the debate.
