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{
    "id": 1098336,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1098336/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 154,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Eng.) Hargura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 827,
        "legal_name": "Godana Hargura",
        "slug": "godana-hargura"
    },
    "content": "disadvantage any part of this country. I thank my colleagues because we, as a House, made sure that we came up with a formula where no county was losing. Madam Deputy Speaker, if you also look at the few years that we have had devolution, this Senate had to work hard to ensure we participate fully in this process right from the Division of Revenue. At the beginning, there was a feeling from the National Assembly that the Senate had no business in the division of revenue and that we should just seat and wait. If they give us Kshs0 to share among counties, that is what we are supposed to share. We went to court and made sure we had to get our right and that is why we participate in the division of revenue. After that, there was the issue of what comes first once we have ensured division of revenue is done. Is it the national budget that is passed by the National Assembly or division of revenue? The National Assembly felt that they could still go ahead with the budget while we argued on the division of revenue. The courts were very clear that, that is not possible and that there must be division of revenue first before we go for the national budget. The National Assembly budgets for the National Government on whatever they have been given from the division of revenue. There has been a situation where the National Government felt it is doing counties a favour and that they are a prefect over the counties. However, the Constitution is very clear. These are all levels of Government which are clearly being stated out and they should complement and cooperate between the two of them. None should be seen to be lording it over the other. That is why the courts were very clear that division of revenue has to be done first so that we know what is for counties and what is for the National Government. After that, we have to do allocation of revenue, the horizontal one among the counties. We have done. However, the sad thing is that the first quarter of the financial year is ending and counties have no money. Some county staffs have gone without salaries for the last three months. Medical services and other services are not delivered to our people. Right now, the arid regions which some of us represent here are experiencing serious droughts. Boreholes are already collapsing because of overdrawing water. There is need for relief food to the residents who already have their livestock – their main source of livelihood – facing drought. Madam Deputy Speaker, counties are supposed to come in at this level. However, because of not having funds, it now feels like counties are not doing their work. It is the National Government, especially the National Treasury which is not disbursing the money. We are being told that it is because revenue collection is not enough. Whatever is there should be shared. If there is a shortage, it should be felt even at the national and county level. Counties have not got anything for the last two and half months. By next week on 15th, they should be getting the third tranche which they have not received. It seems like there is a plan to make sure counties are seen to seem not to be working. They are sabotaged and, at the end of the day, we are trying to undermine devolution. It has to come out clearly that counties have to get money. If you look at the figures in the disbursement Schedule, it means that by mid last month, counties should have received Kshs61 billion. However, they have not received it by now. They are supposed to receive Kshs93 billion by next week, 15th September, 2021, but they have"
}