The Governor for Machakos County Dr Alfred Mutua has asked National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale to recuse himself from the on-going mediation talks between the National Assembly and the Senate over the division of revenue.
According to Mutua, Duale’s hard-line stance over the revenue row makes his presence in the talks ineffectual. The county boss said Duale was derailing hopes of a compromise between the Senate and the National Assembly, resulting in more suffering for citizens.
“We have noticed, and it is in the public domain, that National Assembly Leader Aden Duale has taken hard-line positions and publicly declared his stance. We respect him but feel that as the Majority Leader, the negotiations are not at his stage yet. His presence is not helping but perpetuating differences as Kenyans suffer and die,” Dr Mutua said on Wednesday.
The ‘Maendeleo Chap Chap’ leader requested National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi to find a replacement for Duale in the negotiating team “so that the National Assembly Majority leader can concentrate on other important national and parliamentary business the way the Senate Majority leader is doing”.
Mutua also observed that an urgent solution and consensus is needed in the ongoing revenue row.
“The reality is that when counties are not funded as required by the constitution, suppliers are not paid, services are not rendered and there is reduced consumer spending. An agreement is vital if development is to be enhanced and the Kenyan economy supported to roll back poverty,” he said.
“The feeling among Kenyans is that there is no money in circulation which means increased poverty, shrinking job opportunities and more suffering of Kenyans,” he added.
According to Mutua, every single day that passes without a solution to the revenue stalemate results in more poverty in the country, thereby undermining President Uhuru Kenyatta’s development agenda.
“It is not just about who gets what but about the livelihood and indeed the lives of children, youth, mothers and fathers of this country who are languishing in poverty. Successful mediations and negotiations are about flexibility, looking at the big picture and an attitude that allows give and take,” he said.
