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{
    "id": 1527086,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1527086/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 236,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "In totality, the county governments are getting a substantial amount of money in additional allocation which goes towards CAIPs, community health promoters, basic salaries for county health workers, court fines, loans and grants that are given to the counties and guaranteed by the national Government. So, in addition to the equitable share of Ksh410 billion that they are going to get, there are additional funds. Unfortunately, we are only three months to the end of the financial year. We are where we are because of the insentient behaviour of the Senate and the big-headed behaviour of the Council of Governors. If we had resolved this matter much earlier, the funds would already be in the counties to undertake the relevant functions. Hon. Temporary Speaker, whether we like it or not, between now and the end of the financial year, it is very unlikely that a number of these allocations meant for physical projects will be absorbed. The Ksh10 billion or so is unlikely to be absorbed. The governors will likely bank the money in their accounts, as the Controller of Budget always notes that they have unspent amounts of money. We expect that once the Senate passes it as it is and the disbursements are made, our health workers and community health promoters will be paid their salary arrears, some of which have been pending for several months. This is the anchor of Universal Health Coverage; without health promoters, we have nothing on it. We also want to bring to the attention of counties that the loans and grants being shared with them are public debts. Public debt must invariably be used for the purpose it was meant for. We continue to saddle the people of Kenya with additional debts, and we must ensure that whatever happens is done in the right way. Hon. Temporary Speaker, as I conclude, although it is unrelated to this matter, I take this opportunity to thank the Cabinet of Kenya for approving the elevation of Bumbe Technical Training Institute to a national polytechnic. I remember with nostalgia in 1977 or 1978, as a small boy, lining up on the road with a miniature national flag, singing good patriotic songs to the then Vice-President Moi, who had driven all the way to launch it as a youth polytechnic. Due to geopolitics and hatred, we have been requesting for this oldest polytechnic to be elevated to a national polytechnic, but we have always been given a wide berth. However, today, by the miracle of God, we now have a national polytechnic. I urge you to continue praying for the people of Busia, because many times we are ignored. Nothing good ever comes to our place. Even when they are sharing resources in this place, you never hear anybody from Busia being mentioned. The little that we have is often taken away. With those remarks, I support."
}