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{
    "id": 1075775,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1075775/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 371,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "To make it worse, once people retire, I could see that moratorium of three years which the Committee is recommending for another two-year term, what happens? Even if we go for the next two years and we are able to rationalise the staff and the staff of the county assembly retire and that county assembly did not remit their deductions, what do you expect them to go and survive with? They will not be able to get their gratuity and retirement benefits. So, they will just be going round in cycles. They will be traveling from Narok, Nakuru, Kirinyaga to Nairobi chasing these retirement benefits. They will be asked to go back to their counties and they never send their money. I think it is about time that we become realistic. I hope that Sen. Kibiru who is quite diligent on this matter can hold the bull by its horn; follow through and ensure that whatever has been deducted is remitted. If it is not remitted, let them stop any further development in the county assemblies. We do not have any development fund in this Senate. We sit here, let them sit in the assemblies which are there or under the trees so that they ensure that all the money they get, if it goes to offset this deficit in the retirement benefits, they do so. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, one of the reasons why I sat here up to this time, around 7.15 p.m. is because I want to ensure that money goes to the people of Narok. I want to see that at least this County Allocation of Revenue Bill (CARB) is passed and counties can collect their own source revenue. Every single day when we meet governors in our Committees, they say, “We have not received money. It is tough. Please talk on our behalf. Please, fight for us.” This mandate of this House under Article 96 of the Constitution is to defend the interest of the counties and their governments. We are doing that today. I know it is during COVID-19, but I would hope that we will not only be about six Members here pushing for this money to go to counties. I think people in Kenya should be looking to see if their Senators are there to pass this legislation for them to get money. As I conclude, I am happy that finally, amendments will be made. I hope eventually, the biggest amendment that will help county assemblies is when they become autonomous. I mean, when they have their money and can spend it the way they want. They will not be at the mercy of the executive for them to carry out their functions."
}