Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1489942,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1489942/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 87,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Gataya Mo Fire",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I agree with the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget that, our resolve to give counties money must stand, and we may not be able to accept any other arrangements where the National Assembly would slash money meant for counties. Quite a number of activities, projects and departments are now devolved. It is saddening that counties have turned out to be just shells, with no operations. People have gone without salaries for months. We must make a statement to the National Treasury that, we are subjecting these counties to total suffering. It is important that we register our dissatisfaction to that effect. If you go to counties like Tharaka-Nithi and many others that I do not wish to mention, the governors have been relying on overdrafts from local banks to pay salaries. I do not know the reasons that would make us subject our people to this level of suffering. Hon. Speaker, Sir, since our core business as a House is to protect devolution and give the necessary oversight over those funds, we must call upon the National Treasury and the Exchequer, to make sure that our counties are functional and well funded, because all the activities are currently in counties. I agree with Sen. Cherarkey that the National Assembly has absorbed all the roles. The governor has no say, even on roads that are done in the counties because the Member of Parliament will say, this is my project. The National Assembly would want to lay hands and claim ownership on anything that is brought to the counties. I do not know for what reasons the National Assembly has absorbed the role of every activity in counties. Hon. Speaker, Sir, we must stand our ground and make sure that we protect devolution and for that matter, I agree with the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, to make sure that we retain the Kshs400 billion that is meant for counties. Thank you."
}