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{
    "id": 1440079,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1440079/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 295,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marsabit County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Naomi Waqo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "this money. However, we should go back to the original 14 counties so that we can enable them grow and bring them at par with other counties. Hon. Temporary Speaker, any Fund that is allocated to counties is mostly mismanaged in most cases. It is unfortunate because we fight for more resources to go to the counties. Unfortunately, at the county level, corruption is practiced at a very high level. The money that is meant to bring development and growth go into people's pockets. Most of the time, does not even benefit the counties because there are individuals who invest outside their counties. That is why we should demand proper usage and accountability of any funds that would be released in disguise of the Equalization Fund. Again, when it comes to the implementation of this, the usual practice is to give people tenders and contracts to do any development. The experience is that these tenders are given to close friends or relatives or even people from outside those counties. That is why as Members of Parliament, we should ensure that these tenders get into the hands of individuals working and living in those counties so that that money can be generated and be of benefit to the local business people. Many local business people have lost their businesses because they have not been supported. Even if they do business, they have not generated good income because of the poor economy. That is why we need to support people already doing business at the local level, ensure the profits they get circulate, and assist people within their counties. The National Treasury should devise a plan to release the Ksh22.7 billion arrears of the Fund. It will not have any positive impact if we do it over many years. It will be like a drop in the ocean. Let the National Treasury make sure that these monies are released on time and provide proper guidance so that any project done with this money will positively impact the growth of our people and counties. I have mentioned about usage. There is a lot of wastage in using money from the national Government to county governments. It is upon us and the responsible people holding different offices to be good stewards. Every coin meant for any progress—be it water, roads, or hospitals— should be used for what it is intended so that we elevate and improve the lives of our people. We shall reduce the hospital bills we incur once we get proper healthcare facilities. Today and over weekends, people normally request politicians to do fundraising. We will overcome that once we invest in hospitals and health centres. Proper roads will reduce the many accidents that occur, especially after the rains destroy roads. We can reduce the suffering of the people at the grassroots. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I support. I believe Kenyans will make good use of the money and plan well so that county governments benefit from transforming lives. Thank you."
}