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{
    "id": 1245523,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1245523/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 237,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I concur with what my colleagues have stated on the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, (Senate Bill No.16 of 2023). As you are aware, this is just what we call the budgetary cycle process. We need to thank the Supreme Court because at the start of this Senate, the National Assembly thought that we should not be part of any budgetary making process. However, these are the fruits and the growth of devolution that continues. Some of us have mixed feelings about money going to counties. I want to put the record straight. I have seen my colleague, for the convenience of microphones and the media and to excite the public, they have made very serious assertions; that we slashed money that was going to counties. Contrary, there is an increment. In the hindsight of institutional memory, in the Financial Year 2022/2023 after the protracted Third Basis Formula that we used, we allocated counties Kshs370 billion this financial year. Madam Temporary Speaker, we have pushed the increment to Kshs385.3 billion. This shows the commitment of the Kenya Kwanza Administration and the President H.E Excellency, in protecting, nurturing and growing devolution. So, the public and Kenyans should be aware that against all our political leanings, there is a total increment of Kshs15.3 billion going to counties. We want to thank the Government for that. I have heard in other news very senior leaders telling the Government not to tax and then asking the Government why they are not paying judges and wazee and projects have stalled. It is unfortunate. As we talk, Kenya’s public debt is approaching Kshs10 trillion. The only two options that we have is to borrow more – which is not tenable – or tax and seal loopholes and leakages of taxation. The former Prime Minister has said the same thing that we are saying; that we ensure reduction of expenses and Government wastages. That is why the Finance Bill, 2023 should pass as it is without changing a comma. One of the reasons is that there are no new taxes in the Finance Bill, 2023. I want Kenyans to get this straight. For example, in the Housing Levy Fund, the employee and the employer will give three per cent each and we are capping the amount at Kshs2,500. These are savings and after seven years, you can get back your money. I am saying this because it is under Article 43 of the Constitution on Economic and Social Rights. I have heard people saying that the Government does not have business building houses. However, the people will equally be accusing the Government that it needs to submit a report on the implementation of the human rights situation in the country. Part of human rights is the right to shelter, food, clothing, education and health. All this is captured in the Constitution. It is unfortunate for any leader to say that Government does not have business building houses. I wish to repeat on the Floor of this House, more than 5.6 million"
}