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{
"id": 1494958,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494958/?format=api",
"text_counter": 84,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Maanzo",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13589,
"legal_name": "Maanzo Daniel Kitonga",
"slug": "maanzo-daniel-kitonga"
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"content": "wards, they had to heavily rely on the governors and be submissive to them, yet, they are supposed to impeach the governor where there are reasons to and to make sure that oversight is applicable and strict. That would not have happened without the independence of the assemblies. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for many counties, before the assembly makes any move, they have to look for the governor or the systems of the governor to get their monies released and there has been delays. However, with this law, the county assemblies will be independent, monitor their own budget, make their own plans and oversight the governors very well. Many of the Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) in the country have been reduced to beggars. They are with the people on the ground. Most of them spend their nights at the village. Very early in the morning, every matter that happened during the night has to be taken to the MCA who then has to contact the Senator. It goes on like that and by the time they get to the Member of Parliament (MP) or the governor, the first point of contact of the Kenyan people is the MCA. Senators have been very supportive to MCAs so far. I personally have been supportive to the MCAs of Makueni. Right now, I am very supportive to this law, because I know it will free the MCAs from bondage. It will make the MCAs more effective, strengthened, powerful and able to deliver services to the people. Hence, this is a law which is like revolution. It is going to change devolution and make it better. I believe everybody in this House will support this law. When it goes to the National Assembly as we have many contacts there and we are familiar with how the place works, then this is a law that we want to go express so that, as soon as possible, it is put into practise and assemblies are empowered. The clerk of the county assembly is a very crucial person in this law. Most clerks are very well trained, qualified and experienced. They are the people who will make sure that this money is well spent. They are going to be the accounting officers of this money, answerable to this Senate. Every other time we call the county assemblies here, there are so many missing gaps when we want them to account. Therefore, with this law, the delays will no longer be there and they will be directly responsible to the people and the National Treasury. Consequently, there will be every need to make sure that this happens. The good news about this law is that, the County Public Finance Law, which is an Amendment Bill of the main Act, that is the Public Finance Management Act, will now have a branch which deals with the counties directly. That amendment is very crucial, because when it comes to the national Government, then the Act applies. When it comes to the counties, then the new branch of laws applies. Everybody will be held to account and all the monies for the purposes of the movement and the operations of the county assemblies will be made very important. I want to agree with the Sen. Osotsi and I will support his amendment, so that the Act could flow. If you look at the County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.39 of 2023) Clause109B(c), it states that- “administrative expenses as may be incurred by the Fund under this Act or under any other purpose provided in the Constitution or any other written law.” The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}