Mulembe Youth Movement Backs GoK On Revenue Allocation

The Mulembe Youth Movement has thrown its weight behind the contentious Revenue Allocation Formula that has seen sharp divisions among elected leaders both in the National Assembly and in the Senate.

The allocation formula had been drafted by the Commission For Revenue Allocation (CRA) and received the blessings of both former PM Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The formula, however, failed to receive the approval of the majority of the Senators when it was put to vote with some Senators saying the mode of allocation was meant to disadvantage some regions.

According to the youth movement that has been vocal in recent days, championing for the new dawn of leadership in Western Kenya counties of Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, and Vihiga, the new allocation formula is being distorted by politicians who want to achieve their selfish ambitions.

“We have been taught to reject concepts including but not limited to the recent third-generation division of revenue formula by demagogues and charlatans who give it a tag of exclusion and amplify it through dubious propaganda to achieve their narrow political ends,” said the youths during the press conference at the United Club.

The youth have slammed leaders opposed to the formula saying it is creating an unnecessary standoff that is hurting the operations of the counties. Already, the Nurses union has already issued a 7-day strike notice over delayed salaries and allowances.

“As Mulembe Youth Movement driven by the selfless pursuit of liberating our people from the shackles of poverty and destitution and offering the essential socio-political direction to our people, we urge the Senators from the region; Sen. Malala, Sen. Wetangula, Sen. Khaniri, Sen. Mbito, Sen. Wako, Sen. Shiyonga, Honorary Mulembe members and any other friends of the Mulembe Nation to support the Commission on Revenue Allocation third-generation formula,” said the youth leaders.

The youth leaders say that the recommendations seek to address four primary objectives; to enhance service delivery, to promote balanced development, to incentivize counties to optimize capacity to raise revenue, and to the prudent use of public resources.

“It is worth noting that in actualizing these objectives, CRA makes use of data made available by relevant government institutions. In the last eighteen months, we have had a significant change in data. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics released new census data and the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey data,” they said.

These two reports respectively change the population numbers and poverty indices. Hypothetically, putting such data into perspective, even if CRA uses the previous allocation formula, what counties receive today will be drastically different from what they received in previous years.

“We fully identify with Chapter 15 of our Constitution that establishes Commissions and Independent Offices among them the Commission on Revenue Allocation. The Commission is tasked among other Constitutional underpinnings, to present recommendations on the third basis of equitable sharing of revenue among County governments as stipulated in Article 216(1),” said the group.