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{
    "id": 1474385,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1474385/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 287,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "One of the Funds that are normally misused are those for disaster response and management in the counties and even at the national level. For example, in Nandi County, in the Financial Year 2023/2024, according to the Report of the Auditor-General, the approved budget for disaster response and management was Kshs100 million. The exchequer release that was made to the County Revenue Fund (CRF) before moving to the next financial year was Kshs50 million. However, when the auditors went to ask for financial statements to ascertain how Kshs50 million was spent, they could not trace how that money was used by Nandi County Executive. I have been sitting in the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) for almost eight years now. One of the critical issues has been misuse and abuse of funds meant for disasters. For example, sometimes Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are called to go to Nandi Show Ground. From that money, they are only given loaves of bread and blankets worth Kshs250 each. They get bread and soda which we could use to call zero diets when we were in school. As they are given, photos are taken to show that they are helping the vulnerable. We need a law to guide on the issue of disaster management. As you know, disaster can come in many forms. There are traditional disasters that we know, such as droughts, floods, landslides, and school fires which have become predominant for the past few months. We continue to condole with families who have lost their loved ones, especially the Hillside Endarasha Academy incident where more than 21 children lost their lives. There are a number of school dormitories and houses across the country that have been burnt because of what is happening. The biggest support system in terms of disaster response and management has been the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS). I remember when we lost some children in Kiptuya Ward, we had to get young men, the famous Cheploch Gorge Divers. I am still surprised why neither the national Government nor Baringo County Government has not hired Cheploch Gorge Divers who always assist in retrieving bodies of people who have drowned in rivers especially during rainy seasons. The other day, a television station aired a story where young men were crossing dangerous rivers because of rain, especially in Kapkangani Ward in Nandi County. The dynamism of disasters continues to evolve. As we pass this law, we need to define what a disaster is and how it should be handled. The other day, Nandi County Executive carried out a massive human resource audit. The unfortunate thing is that after seven years, it is when the Governor has realised that there is a disaster of ghost workers. We were shocked. There are a number of people close to him referred to as professional radio callers who praise and worship him on famous radio stations. There are also online bloggers and close family members who were on the payroll of Nandi County Government. Even as we talk about spending of funds, the Ethics and Ant-Corruption Commission (EACC) should improve their networks, so that as we discuss about funds set aside for disaster management, the wage bill and development expenditure, we should agree that something is wrong in terms of management. 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 and Audio Services,Senate."
}