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{
    "id": 1075758,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1075758/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 354,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13119,
        "legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
        "slug": "agnes-zani"
    },
    "content": "In fact, we have always tried to interrogate why when this money is allocated to counties, a system of follow up through cannot be done. We have engaged the CoB on this and she said she can only apportion and recommend for money to go to counties. However, that office cannot do a follow through to make sure that money is used where it is meant to. That is where we have a problem. It may be a question of staffing or changing and tilting things. As far as I see, even though we have IFMIS, it has not worked effectively over time to ensure that this money is followed through. Issues like poor record and book keeping, inability to use automated accounting systems, missing staff establishments, policies, among many other things is what is happening. It is sad. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as the Senate, we stood for what we needed to do and ensured there was an increase from Kshs316.5 billion in the 2020/2021 allocation to Kshs370 billion. Therefore, the county governments’ equitable share of revenue allocated to county governments in this basis are key and adhere to Article 217 of the Constitution. Over and over, we have talked about own source revenue and the need for county governments to try and up their resources. The defunct local authorities used to collect enough to pay staff and take care of their expenses. That is no longer happening. Article 209 of the Constitution has assigned counties the power to raise revenues. As such, counties are expected to improve and maintain sustained collection of their own revenues. With the Kshs53.1 billion proposal, it is assumed that growth trajectory through own source revenue within the year stipulated, should be able to add sufficient additional resources to finance all functions assigned to county governments as contemplated in Article 203 of the Constitution. Part of the reason why we have a problem is that own source revenue has not worked and at the same time, what is taken to counties is not going on time. When it finally gets there, there are issues within counties. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, a further Kshs6.8 billion had also been set aside as the equalization fund in the Financial Year 2021/2022. This translates to 0.5 per cent of the last audited revenue accounts of Government, as approved by the National Assembly. This fund is used to finance development programmes that aim at reducing regional disparities among beneficiary counties. For a long time, there has been marginalization. So, there is need for us to upgrade and ensure such counties see the light of day and reduce the disparity in terms of regionality. For stability and predictability of county revenues, county governments’ equitable share that is raised nationally is protected by the Division of Revenue Bill. As has been mentioned, Clause 5 provides that any shortfall in revenue raised nationally, shall be borne by the National Government. This is what Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. says that if there is a shortfall, that provision in this clause is that this should be borne by the National Government and adequately addressed. Otherwise, we will have a situation where counties have planned but their plans cannot be executed and on time. We have as a process both the vertical and horizontal allocation of resources. We already had through the Division of Revenue Allocation that became the Division of"
}