Cherargei backs Raila’s stance on control of state funds
Nandi Senator Cherargei has challenged members of parliament to consider running for presidency or governor if they wish to retain control of state funds.
Speaking during the revision of the Revenue Bill 2025 in the Senate on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the senator defended the call to allocate more funds to counties on the premise that the monies will be used in a fair and transparent manner.
“We are proposing that counties must get at least Ksh465 billion, up from Ksh370 billion that was in the Financial Year 2024/25. This should be the Senate’s position. There are many functions the counties should do, and they need money so that we can see development,” he stated.
Cherargei also hit out at Molo Member of Parliament (MP) and the chair of the finance committee, Kimani Kuria, over his remarks regarding allocating more money to counties.
“I heard yesterday the argument of the chair of the National Assembly on Budget, Finance and Planning Committee, saying the reason why counties should not get more is because of corruption. There is corruption in even the national and county governments. It is one of the lame excuses I have heard,” he stated.
The outspoken senator held that the recent causes of high-profile cases, including arrests of governors, are a testament to the state’s concerted fight to purge corruption.
In support of Raila
While calling out governors culpable of imprudent use of the funds under their jurisdiction, he also cited parliament for being hell-bent on giving devolution a bad name.
The senator expressed his concurrence with Orange Democratic leader Raila, who in recent past, said the MPs should cede control of the important funds in favour of counties.
“I want to agree with Raila Odinga that all funds should only go to the national executive and the governor’s offices. I want to tell the members of the National Assembly, if you want to manage funds, run for only two seats: the governor or the president,” he asserted.
