The Politics of revenue Allocation and Resource Control in Kenya: Implications for County Governments stability

Abstract

Revenue is the main stay of the finances of government at all levels. In the previous financial years there has been a debate regarding whether the resources allocated for the county level of governments is sufficient to perform the assigned functions. No doubt,  this has been one of the perennial problems which has not only defied all past attempts at permanent solution, but has also evoked high political emotions whenever sharing formulae is proposed and   on the part of all concerned is the issue of equitable revenue allocation in Kenya. Thus, the thrust of this paper is an in-depth analysis of the politics of revenue allocation cum resource control. The paper takes a survey approach at virtually all previous attempts at arriving at equitable formula. The paper intends to look at factors considered in revenue allocation and the underlying politics in the sharing and control of resource at the county level. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, the paper adopts documentary sources of data and content analysis for its methodology