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{
"id": 1570332,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570332/?format=api",
"text_counter": 223,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "formula. We introduced a new formula that would apply on increments from that threshold that we had defined. In my view, the third formula was perhaps more scientific, service-driven and sector-driven. In the third formula, we brought in aspects of service delivery. We put a measure on health, where were looking at picking data and analysing how many level four or level threes dispensaries that a county had. The CRA had a worksheet that had all that data. However, the problem was that some counties in a bid to look good had upgraded a lot of their hospitals to be level four in name, but there was nothing in terms of facility. As a result, I realised that between Homa Bay County and Migori County, Migori was getting almost Kshs200 million more on the health index because they had fewer level four hospitals. Homa Bay County was getting less because my governor then wanted to show that he was working. Therefore, he upgraded a lot of level four hospitals. It looked like Homa Bay County was doing better on the health index. We had certain parameters on agriculture. I recall the then Senator for Nairobi City County brought it to our attention that agriculture is not just a rural preoccupation. He gave us as an example that one of the main dairy producers in this country is in Nairobi City County. There is someone who operates in Karen and produces a lot of milk, perhaps more milk than any other producer around. The Third Basis formula was elegant in the manner in which it broke down the service dimensions. The only failure was lack of accurate data to back it up. Even the rural access index was based on the number of roads in a county. However, we have had a problem with classification of roads. The national Government does not want to let go of roads to county governments. Therefore, there has been some frustration in ensuring that roads are classified. If we had accurate data, I would still insist that this country continues to use the third formula. However, the proposal by the Finance and Budget Committee is a de facto endorsement of the third formula. In the spirit of holding harmless, the Finance and Budget Committee has told us that Kshs387 billion would still be distributed on the basis of the old formula, and any amount exceeding that would be subjected to a new formula. To some extent, it is a confirmation. I am not sure about whether in the Kshs387 billion, the factors or data that was used back then will be refreshed or we will just freeze the amounts as they were. If we freeze the amounts as they were, that would make sense. Going back to the data and tinkering with it might lead to unexpected results. This Fourth Basis formula that the Finance and Budget Committee proposes, 96 per cent is a third basis, and only 4 per cent is a fourth basis. This is assuming that we will be allocating the Kshs405 billion that was brought to this House by the National Assembly. I encourage the House to ensure we increase the base. That is where the solution lies. We are fighting over small fragments because we think that counties should only get Kshs387 billion or Kshs405 billion. The political formation to which I belong has clear unequivocal instructions that we must support devolution. We must give effect to devolution as captured in the"
},
{
"id": 1570333,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570333/?format=api",
"text_counter": 224,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1570334,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570334/?format=api",
"text_counter": 225,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Constitution. If we are to be faithful to the Constitution, we must give resources to our county governments. We have made it clear that Kshs450 billion is a bare minimum. I know that the Senate has recommended Kshs465 billion. If we can get Kshs465 billion, I will be very happy. The instructions I have is to allocate Kshs450 billion to counties. Something could be more, but nothing less. With Kshs450 billion, the small counties and I do not know why we want to call some counties small. Why should you call your county a small county simply because of the revenue? Why should you call your county small simply because you have a governor who does not know how to be fiscally responsible and prudent? Why should you tarnish the name of your county by calling it small? We have seen “big counties” that cannot make fiscal responsibility sense. We have seen small “small counties” that have undertaken programmes that are transformational. This obsession of “County X” having done 10 kilometres of tarmac, but “County Y---” If we put pressure on the national Government to let go of the money that is sitting at Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) or the Ministry of Roads and Transport, I am sure a few tens of billions will go to the counties and it will be shared out amongst them."
},
{
"id": 1570335,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570335/?format=api",
"text_counter": 226,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, water is a devolved function. However, we still have the national Government sitting with huge budgets for water. We see national Government officials moving around and commissioning boreholes in villages, a job that should be done by the counties. Let us push for that money to go down."
},
{
"id": 1570336,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570336/?format=api",
"text_counter": 227,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Housing is a function of county governments. Just last weekend, we launched affordable housing project in Homa Bay County. I congratulate the national Government for bringing this to fruition. Of course, those houses are being built using money taxed from Kenyans. It is not that the Government is a genius because the money is ring-fenced and, therefore, you have to pay it. Whether you like it or not, you must pay that money. However, we must find a way of building synergies with county governments."
},
{
"id": 1570337,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570337/?format=api",
"text_counter": 228,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The synergy cannot be that a county provides the land and the national Government builds houses then you have problems on who owns those houses. Let us give counties a share of proceeds from the Housing Levy Fund, so that they also make their own decisions on where they feel they should do housing. If we did so, we would be bridging the gap between Kshs387 billion and Kshs450 billion."
},
{
"id": 1570338,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570338/?format=api",
"text_counter": 229,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "On the issue of markets, we must call out the governors. When the President goes to regions, he launches markets. When governors climb on top of vehicles to speak, they ask for markets to be built. The question is: Why can they not use the Kshs387 billion that we sent to them to do markets, so that we allow the national Government to do bigger things that can stimulate economic activities in those regions?"
},
{
"id": 1570339,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570339/?format=api",
"text_counter": 230,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "If the money for markets was sent to county governments, we would be bridging the gap to Kshs450 billion. We would not be having this conversation or contention of discussing a formula that is only going to apply to 4 per cent of the funds. That is the situation now because 96 per cent of Kshs405 billion has been held armless. This formula which is likely to split this House and the nation will be on 4 per cent. We must increase the base."
},
{
"id": 1570340,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570340/?format=api",
"text_counter": 231,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1570341,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570341/?format=api",
"text_counter": 232,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Agriculture is a devolved function. The only thing that remains at the centre is policy. Sen. (Dr.) Murango was a very able Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. We know that there are budgets in Nairobi that should be pushed down. I am happy that those presiding over the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development nowadays have seen the light. Is it Saul who became Paul? Even though they brought fertiliser here for us to sniff and touch – I remember Sen. (Dr.) Murango sniffing the fertiliser – now they have realised that what they were sniffing were proceeds from a donkey mixed with sand and other things. Let us send that money to the counties. That way, we will be bridging the gap between Kshs387 billion and Kshs450 billion. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if we were to carry out a comprehensive review of this formula, I would suggest a few things. We need to bring in a fiscal responsibility measure. There is too much fiscal irresponsibility, but there is no way to punish it. For our governors, they only punishment they understand is either to give or take away money from them. In the first formula, we had 2 per cent. In the second one, we also had 2 per cent. How I wish we considered a fiscal responsibility index. From where I sit as the Chairperson of the CPAC, there are a few counties that have done fairly well. If you look at their wage bill, they are below 30 per cent of the 35 per cent that is required by law. If you look at their development, they are above the 30 per cent required. It is not all doom and gloom when it comes to devolution. Out of the 47 counties, I believe we can highlight 10 counties that are fiscally responsible. However, at the bottom of the pile, there is serious irresponsibility. Sen. Sifuna has just narrated some of the scenarios we have come across. I have seen a schedule of counties that we are calling “small by revenue” circulating. Isiolo is not a small county; it is supposed to be the capital of Kenya. It was designated as such under the Vision 2030. Isiolo is at the centre of Kenya and that is where the centre of gravity of this nation ought to be. Let us not call it small because of this allocation. If you were to add own source revenue, ideally Isiolo should have many economic activities. Let us put pressure on the state to live to the aspirations of the Vision 2030 and take services, facilities and activities to Isiolo. That way, it will no longer be called a small county. When you tell me that you want Isiolo to get Kshs6 billion, I will also challenge the proponents of that argument to advise me on how to hold accountable the leadership of Isiolo County. That could have been achieved through a fiscal responsibility index. They are doing bad things in terms of employment of advisors and Chief Officers (COs). You will find that a county has got six County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) with 10 Members of County Assembly (MCAs), but there are 36 advisors and 36 COs. It means that under every Ministry, there are about five or six accounting officers. Even Nairobi with more complex functions does not have that kind of crimp when it comes to advisors and COs. If there was 2 or 3 per cent to be shared by 10 counties that are doing a good job then those pulling at the bottom get nothing, I would have supported this formula more robustly."
}
]
}