The new revenue sharing formula unveiled by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) has divided governors with those from counties that will get reduced allocation rejecting it.

The new formula slashes money allocated to marginalised counties and will increase allocations to rich counties over the next five years.

CRA chairperson Jane Kiringai said the formula was based on new parameters that take into account devolved functions such as health, agriculture, early education and technical training.

The parameters are in three groups - service delivery component (which has a weight of 69 per cent), development component (26 per cent) and revenue and efficiency component (five per cent).

Previously, a county’s population and poverty levels determined how much it was allocated every financial year.

Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho opposed the formula saying it went against the spirit of devolution.

“The new formula will slash Sh1.2 billion from our current allocation, meaning many programmes will suffer. What we are currently getting is not even enough. We want counties allocated 45 per cent of the revenue,” he said.

Mandera’s Ali Roba said after 50 years of deliberate marginalisation by past regimes, there was glimmer of hope that devolution would guarantee development in the Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) counties.

“What we are witnessing is bureaucrats sitting in Nairobi and stifling resources meant for marginalised counties. Architects of anti-devolution schemes are clawing back the gains we made,” said Mr Roba.

Roba, who is also the chairperson of Frontier Counties Development Council accused the anti-devolution forces of picking their allies to sit at CRA to dance to their tunes in a partisan manner.

“It is a blow to gains of devolution for the ASAL counties. Some people want to treat people of these counties like third-class and fourth rate citizens. This is the worst that has befallen us and Kenyans must not allow a few people to benefit from our country’s resources,” Roba said.

He said the revenue formula did not favour disadvantaged communities and reinforced inequality.

Water insecure

Roba said: “Some 23 ASAL counties are water insecure due to neglect by successive governments. Allocation of three per cent to water proves the level of ignorance of the realities in these counties by CRA. ‘One shoe size fits all approach’ is misguided a continuation of marginalisation.”

“How do you allocate 10 per cent to Agriculture? Can you do agriculture without water? ASALs counties to have no sufficient water for domestic use. Assuming all counties are at the same level is evil.”

“Factors beyond control of counties, such as closure of international customs borders (a major revenue source for Mandera) and threats on security, have had adverse effects on revenue collection. Should Mandera be punished for factors beyond its control?” 

Kitui’s Charity Ngilu said the move was meant to benefit the already developed counties.

“This is only meant to address causes and not symptoms of problems we are facing and disparities in resource allocation to counties. Some counties such as Kitui cover a huge area while others are small. This is one of the disparities more resources should address,” said Mrs Ngilu.

Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok said the Council of Governors, which he chairs, had received the report and was reviewing it. “CRA and CoG will meet in January for further input on the proposed formula before it is submitted to the Senate for approval,” said Mr Nanok.

Lamu is one of the counties whose allocation under the new formula will be slashed. The county, which has been receiving the highest per capita allocation, will see its allocation drop to Sh2.46 billion in the 2019/20 financial year from Sh3.54 billion this financial year.

Nairobi will get Sh17.44 billion compared to Sh15.79 billion it got this year.