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{
    "id": 1065446,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1065446/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 75,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Unguja, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Opiyo Wandayi",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "water? We cannot. That would be irresponsible of us. So, it behooves all of us to look at this Bill as a first step in our journey to creating a nation that is cohesive and that is at peace with itself. Again, we must appreciate that even the liberties and democratic gains that we have attained in this country have always been incremental. They never come overnight. We take what we get and we move on hoping that there will be another time to secure others. One of the most positive things that I can point out in this Amendment Bill without necessarily belittling others is the matter of the enhancement of allocation to our counties. Some of us understand the problems of concentrating power and resources at the centre. We understand very well. People have been saying and asking what makes it difficult for the current Government under the current Constitution to enhance the allocation to the counties beyond 15 per cent say to 40 per cent? That is an academic argument. Why do I say so? We all know, because we are all taught in elementary economics, that resources are always scarce. So, when you have resources, you must prioritise. Hon. Speaker, the priorities change with circumstances. So, we do not want to leave this to the whims of whoever is in Government to decide whether to make it 10, 20 or 30 per cent. We want to compel him or her, through the Constitution that, at the very least, he or she must take 35 per cent to the counties. Only a person who is not able to see clearly will deny that some work has happened in the counties. We know there are problems of systems and of corruption, but the money that has gone to the counties so far has done something. It is visible. It varies, of course, from place to place. But we must appreciate that this amendment will enable our counties to get enhancement of resources from 15 per cent to 35 per cent. The argument whether the country will be in a position to generate resources is neither here nor there. That is not under our purview. We are making this Constitution so that whoever is in power can implement it. Therefore, as we move forward, we must remind ourselves that constitution-making process is not just a matter of law or legalese. This is a political process, through and through. So, we must always appreciate the fact that we are doing it for a purpose and we must also understand where we are coming from. That is why, Hon. Speaker, when you even hear me speak out there, I speak very passionately because I know mischief can be played. There is room for mischief in every process and it can be clothed differently. So, when we sense that there is an attempt, however minute or little the attempt is, to either subvert or derail or to make this process not move in the manner it should, we must call you out. We must say it as it is. Where we have reached, we only need support from those of us who mean well for the country so that we do not engage in sideshows. We need to focus on the ball and ensure that the country gets the Constitution it deserves."
}