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{
    "id": 1505526,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1505526/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 142,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Abass",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13587,
        "legal_name": "Abass Sheikh Mohamed",
        "slug": "abass-sheikh"
    },
    "content": "at least Kshs42 million each. The counties represent the larger population in this country. Most Kenyans receive services from the counties. What we have at the national level are policy issues. The actual work and the socioeconomic issues are taking place in the counties. The way the counties are being funded is disheartening. Every time a budget is to be made, there has to be mediation. We need to look into this issue, especially the Acts of Parliament that govern the budget- making process. This issue should be settled once and for all. I also suggest that all funds relating to counties and the appropriation of funds to counties should first come through the Senate. Only after passing in the Senate should the Bills be taken to the National Assembly to allocate the recommended monies. This business of delaying the approval of the appropriation Bills is causing many delays. Counties are paying huge wage bills for the provision of medical services and other services like water. The more we keep delaying, the more the counties are actually incurring a lot of pending bills. They have inherited some benefits that need to be made. Some of the counties are being taken to court of late. We also need to strictly follow the law. Counties receive less than the recommended 15 per cent. Despite the seepage in the counties, corruption is not exclusive to them. Corruption is everywhere in this country. It is in every institution. It is high time that we institute serious measures against the corrupt people who are trying to steal money and public property. I always overhear that the counties have a lot of corruption, but the corruption emanates from high levels of Government. As I have said many times, the best thing to do is strengthen our oversight institutions. These institutions should include the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Senate, the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Then, we will be able to curb this business of stealing money left and right. The Senate should also take its own responsibilities to provide proper oversight. However, when a governor is brought to the committees, and the money appropriated to the county does not add up, the Senate has no authority to prosecute. We need to review the Senate's oversight roles. With those few remarks, I support the Bill."
}