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    "id": 742986,
    "url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/742986/?format=api",
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    "content": "suggested and then try to see whether we can unlock this paralysis and get the country moving so that we do not frustrate devolution. Having said that, I hope that one way or the other, even if it entails a fresh mediation process, we should arrive at a figure that is acceptable to all parties. You cannot get all the resources you need but on the other hand we cannot have one level of Government insisting on a position and not moving an inch. That again would undermine the process as envisaged in our Constitution. So, I pray that this House as well as our counterparts in the “lower House” will be sober so that we take this matter outside the parochial realms of institutional competition, if at all there is anybody who would have entertained such a thought in this very important exercise. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as the Leader of Majority, I have consulted the leadership of my party at the highest level. The instructions I have is that it is in the interest of the Government to facilitate, of course through Parliament, a quick resolution of this matter. Our position is that there must be some give and take in this process. Allow me to say this which I find very strange. The Kshs299 billion proposal came from the National Treasury which is the custodian of national resources, and which had assessed their capacity in terms of distributing resources. So, why on earth would the National Assembly abrogate, supersede and nullify the proposals of the National Treasury by trying to be even more cautious? In fact, I would expect ordinarily – and this is best practice around the world – more “resistance” from the National Treasury because they are the ones with the envelop and looking at all the competing interests and the global picture, but it is surprising that the National Assembly would want to frustrate counties by even suggesting that what the National Treasury had suggested is too much, and therefore, the counties do not deserve that amount of money and slashing it by Kshs8 billion. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Kshs8 billion in the hands of counties can do a lot. Counties engage citizens at the micro level. They deal with every day projects. Forget about the threats that have been reported. This issue should be addressed separately. The truth of the matter is that Kshs8 billion spread in wananchi-friendly projects across Kenya can bring a huge difference in terms of affecting the lives of the people of this country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am not anticipating debate. My view is that some comprise would be sought somewhere, especially around where the National Treasury votes, in between there and the Senate. That is where the compromise should be but not anything less than what the National Treasury had suggested. That is our position. I do not think the National Treasury has changed their mind; and even if they do, if you make your bed, you must lie on it. So, it is too late now. That figure, in my view, between there and the Kshs314 billion that the Senate and CRA was talking about should help us unlock this impasse. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to say my third and last remark. Over and above the nearly Kshs300 billion that is suggested, I think this message should go to counties and Kenyans as we continue understanding devolution better. There is also a significant amount of resources that is also, in addition to that amount, coming to counties under the"
}