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{
    "id": 1227564,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1227564/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 272,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "He also generally guided us in pushing for the place of devolution, when we began about conditional grants and so many amendments to the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, our Chief Whip, chaired the first Committee of the County Public Accounts and Investments (CPAIC). He led the Committee in establishing institutionalisation of oversight on county governments as contemplated in Article 96 of the Constitution. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this was the first CPAIC that dealt with county governments. Remember when we were unicameral, CPAIC only dealt with oversight in the national Government. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale led this Committee with great honour and distinction. I remember the many reports that he tabled before this House. Courtesy of the work that his Committee did, many county governments reformed and ensured that there was prudent use of public resources, a culture that is quickly waning away. It is not something to be celebrated. I challenge our colleague Senators to take keen advantage of the reports of CPAC. Second and most importantly, even the audit reports. When I first came to this House when reports of Auditor-General were tabled here by the then Senate Majority Leader, you would see Senators scamper for copies to see how their counties were doing. Nowadays, they lie idle almost falling over on the Clerks table until they are carted away by the Sergeant-at-Arms. That is an area that as a House, we need to improve and pay keen attention. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have spoken about this. It is something that I continue to engage my colleagues on the Minority side about the need to rethink the place of oversight to not only be reactionary to the audit reports brought by Auditor-General, but also on issues that individual Senators know about their counties. I am sure there can be a better process. I have proposed the same, but unfortunately, it is something that we have not been able to resolve. That very sacred role of this institution can better be carried out as a complimentary mechanism to what the Auditor-General does. Unfortunately, much as we think the Auditor-General knows everything about your county, I do not think the Auditor-General – despite the fact that they have all the reports – would know more about Busia County and the challenges that hails them, more than their Senator who is here. Therefore, we need to decide on and move a Motion. I promise the House that by the time we return after this short recess, we will have reached a common position with the Senate Minority Leader and propose something to the House. Sen. (Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o, the then Senator for Kisumu County chaired the Committee on County Public Accounts and Investment. He led the Committee in establishing county oversight mechanisms. He also took the lead in strengthening oversight function by ensuring CSs and other State public officers appeared before the Committees when summoned. One of the best reports that you will read about Parliament on Kenya Airways was courtesy of work that was done by a special Committee led by Sen. (Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o with this House."
}