The senators are expected to debate the fate of the controversial revenue sharing formula even as the fate of the bill would be further thrown into jeopardy after four more senators joined the opposing side.
The vote has taken regional direction as more senators whose counties are set to gain opted to vote against the formula in solidarity with their colleagues from their areas who could lose revenue if the formula is passed.
Senators who are said to have switched sides and are set to oppose the bill include Michael Mbito (Trans Nzoia), Moses Wetangula (Bungoma), Njeru Ndigwa (Embu) and Mithika Lithuri (Meru).
Wetangula and his group join the group led by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr, his Narok counterpart Ledama Ole Kina and Nairobi senator Johnson Sakaja, which previously rallied 25 senators to oppose the amendment to the formula. As things stand, the opposing side has 29 on their side, a situation that could further complicate the efforts to pass the formula.
Sources say though Wetangula and Mbito are set to gain, they have decided to stand in solidarity with their neighbor Vihiga county which will lose revenue while Linturi and Ndigwa have thrown their weight behind Tharaka Nithi County.
A section of Senators on Monday accused the Executive of bullying them to pass the formula but have vowed to reject it.
“This is very sensitive and volatile matter. It is a matter of life and death for my people but for the interest of my security and of the senate, I will not reveal much at the moment,” Lamu Senator Anwar Loitiptip told a local daily – The People Daily.
Makueni Senator Mutula Jr said the intimidation had taken the form of threats to promises of money.
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“I am shocked that my colleagues are being intimidated because of their stand. I wan to reveal to you just like I had earlier indicated on the floor of the House, senators are facing unknown pressure including some operators following them in their houses,” said Mutula who is the Minority Whip in the Senate.
“We want to tell whoever is behind this, that we are not afraid and our numbers are intact. We are sharing this information as they unfold,” Mutula added.
Kakamega senator asked the President and his handshake partner to leave the matter to the Senators to handle
“Raila and the President should allow us to stand up and write our history and correct because as it stands today, history is being written and we want to be on the correct side of history,” Malala said.
Senator Malala is another senator whose county will gain but stood firm in solidarity with their colleagues who are set to lose.
The Other senators who are in Malala’s group are Boniface Kabaka (Machakos), Prof Sam Ongeri (Kisii), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Loitiptitp (Lamu) and Philip Mpaayei (Kajiado).
