A mediation committee of the Senate and the National Assembly has agreed to have the 47 counties allocated Sh400.1 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.
The deal was reached on Monday evening, giving devolved units additional funds amounting to Sh15 billion compared to the current fiscal period.
In the fiscal year ending June 2024, counties were allocated Sh385 billion.
The allocation contained in the mediated shareable revenue for the next financial is the highest ever since the advent of devolution.
The agreement comes against the backdrop of a back-and-forth between the Senate and the National Assembly after they proposed different amounts.
The Senate had been pushing for Sh415 billion for counties while the National Assembly wanted counties allocated Sh391 billion.
After a stormy session in parliament buildings punctuated by intervals of breaks to consult, the Senate agreed to climb down while the National Assembly reviewed its amounts upwards.
National Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Ndindi Nyoro who co-chaired the talks described the deal as a win for devolution.
This is the first time that the bicameral house’s mediation committee amicably agreed on the revenue division.
Previously, the matter had spilt to the floor of the Houses after deadlocked talks.
“The Senate has agreed to reduce their figure by Sh15 billion while the National Assembly has agreed to push up its earlier figure by Sh9 billion in the spirit of give and take so that we can resolve this matter and allow Counties to get their increased allocation from Sh385 billion in the last financial year,” said Nyoro.
The Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi who co-chaired the talks with Nyoro said they were proud that counties had gotten a Sh15 billion increase compared to the last financial year.
The Division of Revenue Allocation Bill 2024 was published and introduced in the National Assembly on March 12 this year after which it was considered and approved without amendments on March 20.
The National Assembly proposed Sh391 billion for counties and referred the Bill to the Senate for concurrence.
The Senate amended the Bill and proposed Sh415 billion for the counties’ shareable revenue.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula appointed nine members each to sit in the joint parliamentary mediation panel.
Murungi and Nyoro were elected as the co-chairmen for the mediation committee.
Members of the National Assembly team included Nyoro, Teso South MP Mary Emase, Ugenya MP David Ochieng, Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto, Kitutu Chache North MP Japheth Nyakundi, Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda, Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu, and Garsen MP Ali Wario.
Kingi appointed Murungi, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, Machakos Senator Kavindu Muthama, Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute and Migori Senator Eddy Oketch to be members of the committee.