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{
    "id": 1123841,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1123841/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 258,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to support these amendments to the County Governments (Amendment) Bill. From the onset, let me congratulate the distinguished Senator for Homa Bay for having thought out these amendments which bring some sense into the development of these counties. The biggest challenge we now have is the fight for supremacy between the governors and Senators. Our job is very simple and is defined clearly under Article 96 of the Constitution that it is to represent the interests of the counties and their governments. It beats logic as to why we should spend sleepless nights here and have 11 votes for more money to go to counties, yet the Senate cannot play a role in determining how that money should be spent. I thank the Governor of Nandi for attempting to introduce these amendments to the County Governments Act when he was a Senator. He thought clearly of the role that the Senate should play in terms of ensuring that there is logic in the development of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and the Annual Development Plan (ADP) so that when counties are developing, this issue of inequality can become a thing of the past. I agree entirely with Sen. M. Kajwang that it does not make sense as to why the national Government County Development Funds (NG-CDF) and governors should give bursaries. At the same time schools which are supposed to be developed by NG-CDF are also being developed by the county governments which is an illegality. These forums which are being proposed in these amendments are very important to ensure development and some form of equity in all these counties. If we go to for example, the counties of Samburu and Narok, you will find that their county governments spend more money trying to develop the infrastructure of schools while at the same time the Members of Parliament (MPs) are bringing in money to buy buses. The county government gives bursaries and the MPs also give bursaries. As a result, some clever people end up getting double bursary. How are we able to determine the needier student or areas which require a lot of support? There is no reason why we should be all fighting for more money to go to counties and as Sen. M. Kajwang’ has said, governors are now seeking for an additional Kshs70billion. Our role has become just people who fight and use our brain here to find logic as to why money should go to counties but when money gets to the counties, they do not want to see any logic being brought by the Senators. Let them go there. They will be able to question us when they want. When it comes to questioning and trying to oversight there are hurdles and court battles on the issue of oversight. People interpret the Constitution the way they want. I believe when we all have the same interests--- This goes back to Article 96 of the Constitution. My role here as a Senator is to defend the interests of my County of Narok and its government. I want more money to go to the county but I also want accountability. I also want us to practical. Narok County sits on vast land of almost 18,000 square kilometers. I want to make sure that the children in Loita are getting services both from the National Government and the county government."
}