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{
    "id": 1012538,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1012538/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 217,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kiminini, FORD-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Chris Wamalwa",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": "is to provide checks and balances. Therefore, once a Bill has been passed in the Senate it has to come to the National Assembly and as a matter of fact, it should also undergo public participation. I really want to thank the Budget and Appropriations Committee because they did this within the shortest time possible. However, the report was tabled today. We did not have the benefit of looking at it because the debate was coming within the same session. However, we listened carefully when they were moving and when they were seconding. One of the critical issues lies under Article 95(4) which clearly stipulates that the National Assembly determines the allocation of national revenue between the levels of government. We have the two levels of government and on the way forward, maybe we need a legislative proposal to provide the framework in terms of operationalization. Let the Division of Revenue Bill be a responsibility of this National Assembly. Let the Senate, as per Article 96 of the Constitution concentrate on the interests of the counties. Once they focus on their core business and we focus on ours, I think the delays will be gone. Hon. Speaker, it has been very shameful for the Senate. The Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) had submitted this to them in April, 2019, that is, more than a year ago. They are now pretending, the last minute, to be busy. Ten attempts you do not get a solution! They have caused an embarrassment. Look at the time they have taken and look at the time the National Assembly has taken. It is important for the future that when it comes to such matters it should be for the benefit of the common mwananchi. We should count out politics because part of that delay was because some people wanted to settle political scores. I heard people celebrating that Kakamega was to get a certain amount but because we did not vote now we have got more money. Where is more? When the President talks of Kshs56 billion where is he going to get it from? There was no more money that we were going to get. When the President talks of Kshs56 billion he is not the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). So, there is no more money. Let counties know they are going to get their money based on the Division of Revenue Act, which was assented to by His Excellency the President. This House, on matters of budget and funds, we are being magnanimous. We do not want to bring any amendments for the sake of the counties. This is because when you look at it there were other anomalies that this House has a right to amend. However, for the sake of the counties, we want it to pass. We are telling our governors wherever they are as they cry and lie on this national revenue: remember you also have a responsibility when it comes to raising the local revenue. Maybe it is high time there was a partnership with KRA in terms of their revenue raising measures. These counties, when they were county councils and municipal councils, were actually raising a lot of money. How come, all of a sudden, they are raising less money? The people who have been there tell us that, that is the pocket money for the governors. They collect money but they under-declare. Therefore, we must look into that issue so that local revenue is declared. This is because when you go to the locals like the mama mbogas and boda boda, they pay levies. Measures of raising revenue, as a matter of fact, have been increased. However, the amount of money being raised is being under-declared. Hon. Speaker, may be it is high time the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) does a follow up and give a projection in terms of the trend analysis as to where this money is going to because it is not being declared."
}