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{
    "id": 1232727,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1232727/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 148,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Maanzo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13589,
        "legal_name": "Maanzo Daniel Kitonga",
        "slug": "maanzo-daniel-kitonga"
    },
    "content": "Therefore, Mr. Speaker, Sir, we need to come up with a system where no matter how little the money is – which for now is about 15 per cent as per our Constitution – then, it must remain 15 per cent and not less. That is why the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) put it at Kshs407 billion. It means the Government should have made every effort to make sure it has Kshs407 billion or thereabouts. If it is less, it is either a minus or plus one. There is no justification at all. Article 218 requires justification for any variation, so that we do not continue stifling devolution and counties. It is very difficult for a governor to sit in a county, when he is unable to pay doctors or do any development, year-in, year-out. The governor finds himself in a very difficult position politically because he has to deliver on the promises and meet expectations of the people. Now, the money has been reduced without justification. For that particular reason, then, this Bill fails. It must be reconsidered again. The Government must make an effort to ensure this is met. We may say we are paying debts or that we are not raising enough revenue. However, I can assure Kenyans that Kenya has a lot of money and a lot of sources of money. It is only that they have been mismanaged. We have many cartels in various sections of Government, whereby a lot of money is lost. It is estimated that money is lost through cartels and people who are well connected to the system. These cartels do contracts and many other things – which they never even perform to expectations – and eventually get paid. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are losing close to Kshs2 billion on corruption. Therefore, if we check the corruption and pay up or renegotiate our loans; if we have goodwill from donors, get grants and partners, then I am very sure we will have more than enough money for counties. Instead of giving the governors a very difficult task, it is only fair that this House reconsiders this Bill, renegotiate with the national Government and raise money as the Senate had said earlier and CRA proposed. The CRA ended up with Kshs407 billion after thorough investigation, research and consultation. If governors will continue not paying pending bills, what will happen to private citizens, who work for the national Government and county governments? Their payments are delayed and yet they have taken loans from commercial banks to complete projects on behalf of county governments. It is only fair that the county governments pay these private citizens who have contracts with the Government. If they are not paid, then it means taxes are delayed and revenue collection in the country also slows. It is important to have effective governments, whether national Government or at the county level. For the county government to be effective, they must have money to pay pending bills in good time."
}