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{
    "id": 1098345,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1098345/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 163,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Ochillo-Ayacko",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "never funded so we end up with stalled projects, poor budget performance as well as poor budget control. When the final disbursement is released towards the end of the financial year or soon after the financial year has ended, it becomes problematic because at that particular time, it is not possible to enter into contracts. There may be only one week left in that financial year so it becomes impossible to enter into any contract., It also becomes so hard to determine how that money is spent. Budgetary performance and control is therefore a problem in the counties as a result of what I have stated. Madam Deputy Speaker, the other item that is conspicuously visible in the report of the Auditor-General is the issue of pending bills. The bills spent and those who are responsible for paying them claim that they are pending because they did not have money because the money was not disbursed in time. The issue of pending bills is sticking out in counties like a sore thumb. The contractors in my county of Migori have been blacklisted by banks. The banks cannot lend them money to complete projects that they have been awarded to implement in the county because the banks have come by the knowledge that the counties will never disburse funds. These projects in the counties also have other sub-contract related to casuals who perform them. A particular stalled project and a particular pending bill causes a lot of suffering and difficulty for everybody associated with that project. If you are a laborer, who is perhaps constructing the county headquarters in Migori County or the governor’s or speaker’s residence, you depend on the payment you receive daily to meet your daily obligations. The county government is unable to give you that money. Unfortunately, you are unable to offset your obligations and you live a miserable life. Madam Deputy Speaker, the issue of disbursement is an important one that should not be treated casually. It goes to the very heart of survival of devolution and the relevance of county governments. How I wish that the current and future national governments would prioritize the proper establishment and support of devolvded units in their manifestos when they are seeking votes."
}