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{
    "id": 1382979,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1382979/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 233,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, SC",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I have just one or two contributions to the BPS. I first thank the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget for tabling this report before the Senate today. It is notable from the BPS that there is an increment of Kshs5.7 billion that will be going to the counties from the Kshs385 billion to Kshs391.1 billion this financial year. Just like my other brother Senators have said, it is important for county governments to focus on development. This financial year, there was a poor report of counties on the question of development and the fund for development. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, counties should also focus on reducing their outstanding debts. Their pending bills are worrying and they go right to the question of delivery of services. It is unfortunate that in certain counties, including my County Kisumu, pending bills go back to the period when the first Governor served. I have presented a Statement before this House on pending bills that remain unpaid. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, one of the things that this House must do is to find a framework that will ensure that pending bills are settled. Governors who come into power should ensure that projects where there were deliveries, contractors get paid. This is so that we do not frustrate individuals who have helped counties to not only grow, but have also rendered services at cost and continue to incur interests in bank loans. These contractors go to commercial banks to get loans to perform services or contracts in counties. As a Member of the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, we considered the BPS. Our standing questions included the actualization of the new boundaries that have been set by the Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Administration of National Government. The need to construct offices for chiefs and the need to ensure that the processing of passports is done timeously. These go to the very need in ensuring that this BPS is given a stamp of authority by the Senate. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are priority areas for this House and they go to the need for counties to be actioned and to perform for the people of these counties. I support. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services, Senate."
}