Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1227551,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1227551/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 259,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "Constitution establishes county governments which are mandated to perform functions stipulated under Part Two of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution. Under the principles of devolved government, county governments shall have reliable sources of revenue to enable them to govern and deliver services effectively. One of the major achievements of the Third Senate was the fight for increased resources for the counties. Consequently, we have observed a consistent increase in shareable revenue from Kshs190 billion for FY 2013/2014 to Kshs370 billion for FY 2022/2023, representing a consistent annual average growth of 35 per cent. Mr. Speaker, Sir, that was an important fight that we fought together as a House. There is the famous revenue sharing formula debacle that lasted a good ten weeks. With all the intrigues and challenges that came with it, Senators stood firm in this House. Thanks to the Senate for fighting together as a House. We had a steep jump in resources allocated to counties. In fact, the previous FY 2020/2021 had been Kshs316 billion. Thanks to that fight, we grew it to Kshs370 billion in the subsequent financial year, courtesy of the good work that Senators did. Another hallmark of the Third Senate was the consideration and passage of the Third Basis for Revenue Allocation among county governments. Through robust debates, the Senate emerged stronger than ever before and demonstrated its commitment. Mr. Speaker, Sir, those 10 years have not been without challenges, but the Senate rose to the task and committed to upholding the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability. This milestone marks a decade of dedicated service to the people of Kenya, as the Senate has played a vital role in shaping the country's legislative and governance agenda. Through its oversight role, the Senate has ensured that public resources are used for the benefit of Kenyans, and has held public officials accountable for their actions. As we commemorate this milestone, we recognize the hard work and dedication of the current and former Senators, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the Senate remains a strong and effective institution. We acknowledge the support of the Kenyan people, who have placed their trust in the Senate to represent their interests. Mr. Speaker, Sir, just reflecting upon, I thought about what many might consider to be among the highs, just as I have listed quite a number. Where there is a high, there has to be a low. The world and life generally is sinusoidal because it rises and falls. I can remember quite a number. During the passage of the Security Laws (Amendment) Bill of 2014, that was quite a difficult and challenging time for us in Parliament. We also had the passage of the Revenue Sharing Formula. We have had three of them and that has been quite a challenge. I have been lucky to witness all the three. Each has been unique with its own difficulties and nuisances associated with dividing money. However, I am glad that on all the three occasions, the Senate emerged the winner. Of course, the First and Second Senate Mashinani sittings in Eldoret and Kitui goes down as a high. The suspension of the Senate sittings in solidarity with Senators arrested over the Second Generation Revenue Sharing Formula was quite a high."
}