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{
"id": 1502739,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502739/?format=api",
"text_counter": 171,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Mariam Omar",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving this opportunity. I stand to support this mediated Division of Revenue Bill. Firstly, I acknowledge and thank Members of the Committee led by the Co-Chair, my party leader in United Democratic Movement (UDM), Captain Ali Roba, for his leadership in coming up with this Bill. This sharing of revenue is only 15 per cent, 85 per cent is under the national government. This 15 per cent usually goes to counties and out of that, 30 per cent is for development and 70 per cent for recurrent expenditure. However, what is going on now is totally different because 80 per cent is used for recurrent. Instead of 30 per cent, they are using 15 per cent for development. That means development is minimal. Since the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, 2024, there has been a shortfall. Governors should also streamline their expenditure. That is why, from Kshs400 billion, it was reduced to Kshs384 billion. That means that county governments should also be straightforward in utilizing their projects. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when we reduce from Kshs400 billion to Kshs384 billion, let us also remind ourselves that there are additional funds for counties. There is the housing levy, SHIF, National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and industrial parks. As much as there is additional expenditure, we need to prioritize our projects. When we pass these bills, it means that we are taking care of devolution. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am saying this because devolution is working. I can prove that in Mandera County. Currently, under the Equalisation Fund, we are referring all the sub-county hospital surgeries to the Mandera County Referral Hospital, as well as in the towns of Takaba and Banisa. This shows that devolution is working. Also, since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have properly maintained our Intensive Care Units in Mandera County. This means that devolution is working. In the collection of revenue, counties have to put a strong mechanism in place to increase their revenue collection. Governors should not rely solely on the national Government. The governor must prioritise projects because what we need currently is a major dam. We do not have to wait for the national Government to complete our project. For how long? The governor, as the CEO of the county government, must sit down and focus on the priorities. This is so that, at least during the rainy season, the rainwater is not wasted. We have to harvest water. Governors sometimes do national projects instead of county development. For instance, imagine a governor constructing a secondary school classroom, whereas there is a small project of building a maternity ward. This scenario shows that they are prioritising the national Government project instead of the county project. In some counties, medical equipment cannot be used because of a minor power connection by Kenya Power. What a shame! It is unfortunate that the national 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."
}