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{
    "id": 1462701,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1462701/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 270,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Oketch Gicheru",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "a reason for this. The important fact is that counties do not have the instruments of alternative revenue generation through borrowing as the national Government does. Madam Temporary Speaker, if we keep on denying counties monies that belong to them it is detrimental to their financial health. More importantly, there is a part that Kenyans must understand in this particular Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill. A few Senators have confused a few facts here and there. I want to clarify that under Article 204 of the Constitution, there is establishment the equalization fund into which one-half per cent of all the revenue collected by the national Government each year, calculated on the basis of the most recently audited accounts of revenue shall be put into that fund. A few Senators have gotten it wrong. The Kshs 62.4 billion is what counties are entitled to using that formula. It is not the money that the National Treasury has allocated for the equalization fund. This is what the counties are entitled to. The National Treasury has allocated Kshs22.5 billion. That means that we have got about Kshs39.9 billion as a deficit in allocation. This is important because in terms of actual disbursement, the National Treasury, since inception has only disbursed Kshs13.6 billion. That means that this particular fund, which as Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale had indicated has a sunset clause, only received Kshs13.6 billion, leaving a debt by the National Treasury of about Kshs48.8 billion. This is serious because the National Treasury has consistently committed to finance that Kshs48.8 billion. I have been in the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget and any time the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury has showed up, they have committed. Madam Temporary Speaker, we have the Equalization Fund Appropriation Act of 2023 in place that covers financial year 2021/2022. We also have 2022/2023 in place. Notably, the National Treasury committed to our committee that they would pay this money, but they have not. Migori County has been denied this money. Miuru Bay, Miuru Ward, North Kanyamkago Ward, and Komosoko-Nyamosense in Kuria West Constituency are examples of wards that qualify for this fund in Migori County. I hope that one day the Senate will come to Senate Mashinani in Migori County. The economic potential between Miuru Bay, Luanda Konyango, North Kanyamkago, Komosoko-Nyamosense, Getonganya in Kuria West Constituency and Migori Town, is so---"
}