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{
    "id": 1275800,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1275800/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 324,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, at individual level, we do not borrow money to go and piga sherehe or take chai na mandazi. Everybody who borrows a loan from a bank would want to account for each and every coin. If we translate the same commitment as what we do to personal loans and mortgages, this country will go far. I agree with the President in the commitment to fight corruption in national and county governments as a top priority. We have heard about the pending bills in Vihiga County, which Sen. Osotsi has brought to the attention of the House. We want to laud the Government. You have heard a former Governor confess, on the Floor of the House, that during their tenure and since the inception of devolution, under Article 219 of the Constitution, money has never been given out at an opportune time. For example, in the month of June and July, Nandi County has received over Kshs1.2 billion in cash disbursement. The National Government-Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to Members of the National Assembly has also been disbursed. Therefore, there is no reason why our businessmen and women across the country should continue to suffer, yet there is sufficient money. Yesterday, the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) appeared before the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations. They made an assertion that the national Government is yet to release Kshs272 billion to follow functions that have been devolved. This means that the national Government devolved the functions without following them with the costing. Kshs272 billion is a lot of money. It is more than half of what we are giving counties this financial year which was Kshs385.3 billion. As a Senate, we need to play our role. If Kshs272 billion is lying in Nairobi instead of being allocated to 47 counties, then we must work hard towards releasing these funds. I am happy that there was a circular that indicated that any borrowing by the counties must be guaranteed by the national Government. At the tail end of the Third Senate, before it adjourned Sine die, the Laikipia county government made an application for approval of borrowing to the Senate. It was a few months to the elections. Out of the wisdom of the Senate, we declined the application. This is because we were not sure what the money was intended for since elections were approaching. We were aware that the governor in office was defending his seat. I support that public debt and borrowing should be anchored in percentages. This is the best international practice. It is also convenient and efficient for Government."
}