The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Saturday called on Kenyans to pray for the devolution of the country.
The Raila Odinga party was reacting to how Kenya Kwanza allied Senators rejected push to increase counties to share Sh407 billion.
"Let us pray for devolution. Devolution is on trial," ODM party said.
On Thursday, 22 Kenya Kwanza allied Senators voted to fix the counties’ allocation at Sh385 billion, defeating concerted attempts to raise it to Sh407 billion.
This denied counties a chance to get Sh37 billion in the next financial year.
President William Ruto's allies dominate the list of senators who rejected the proposed amendments to the Division of Revenue Bill, 2023, during the vote.
The decision on the allocations largely took a cue from the political alignments in the country.
Former ruling Jubilee senators ganged up with the government side and voted against the amendments that denied counties the billions.
Abas Sheikh Mohamed (Wajir), Abdul Haji (Garissa), Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo), Samson Cherargei (Nandi), Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), Mohamed Chute (Marsabit), Wakoli Wafula (Bungoma), James Lomenen (Turkana), Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), Joseph Githuku (Lamu) and Karungo Thang'wa (Kiambu) were among senators who voted to have the allocation retained at Sh385 billion.
Others were Kathuri Murungi (Meru), Tabitha Karanja (Nakuru), Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), William Cheptumo (Baringo), Steve Lelegwe (Samburu), Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), John Methu (Nyandarua), Alexander Munyi (Embu), Julius Murgor (West Pokot), Hillary Sigei (Bomet) and Wamatinga Wahome (Nyeri).
Thirty-one senators participated in the late afternoon vote.
Only nine senators voted for the revised figure but were outnumbered by the majority who endorsed the bill as drafted by the National Treasury and passed by the National Assembly.
Senators Eddy Oketch (Migori), Olekina Ledama (Narok), Richard Onyonka (Kisii), Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga), Moses Kajwang’ (Homa Bay), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Johnes Mwarume (Taita Taveta), Oburu Odinga (Siaya) and Enoch Wambua (Kitui) voted in favour of the amendment to increase the allocations.
The 22 senators aligned to the government side voted to defeat the amendment that was being fronted by the minority side to give counties Sh22 billion more compared to what the National Assembly approved.
