Senators have vowed to push for an allocation of Sh450 billion to counties in the 2026/2027 financial year, rejecting the Sh420 billion proposed by the National Assembly in the Division of Revenue Bill 2026.
The lawmakers argued that the additional Sh5 billion proposed by the National Assembly is too little compared to the growing financial needs of counties and the size of the national budget.
Debate on the bill on Tuesday exposed sharp divisions within the Senate, with some senators torn between defending county governments and maintaining their ongoing standoff with governors over accountability concerns.
The session began with tension after Senate leadership moved to reintroduce the Division of Revenue Bill 2026, a move that was strongly opposed by some members. The disagreement led to drama in the House and the ejection of Migori Senator Eddy Oketch from the chamber.
Senators had initially boycotted consideration of the bill due to the ongoing dispute between governors and the Senate watchdog committee, with lawmakers insisting that county leaders must remain accountable for the use of public funds.
Following closed-door consultations held in camera, the Senate resumed debate on the contentious bill, with a majority of lawmakers insisting that counties deserve a bigger share of national revenue to effectively deliver services and support development projects.
They maintained that devolved units are facing increasing financial pressure, including rising wage bills, stalled development projects, and delayed disbursement of funds from the national government.
At the same time, senators also called for a thorough investigation into the killing of seven people in Tseikuru, Kitui County, demanding swift action from security agencies to bring those responsible to justice.
The debate on the Division of Revenue Bill is expected to continue as senators seek to secure what they describe as a fair and realistic allocation for counties in the next financial year.