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{
    "id": 1527115,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1527115/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 265,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Seme, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "that when it comes to giving the counties additional money, the same is not applied? I agree with my colleague, Hon. Martin that even if we have other things that we differ on, we should let the money go and serve the people. It is time we re-looked at our structures and asked ourselves if we are adhering to them or we are just using them as obstacles to hinder service delivery to the people. We should be questioning the programmes that are being delayed, and the arrears for the health workers. That money should have been allocated to the counties, and health workers should have been paid. If they work in the counties, the counties should pay them. In the bargaining agreement, it was stipulated that the national Government should pay. That was part of the return to work formula. Hon. Temporary Speaker, you are more versed in these things. I do not know why we delay these things. Looking at the issue of community health workers, we are putting more and more loads on them. If you go to the rural areas, you will find that we are entrusting them with more equipment. We are now asking them to take blood pressure and do diabetes tests but when it is time to pay them, the structures in place are not satisfactory. Even changing their title from “community health volunteers” to “community health workers” has been a challenge. This shows that deep inside, we do not want to acknowledge them. We are now calling them community health promoters. Part of the money is being paid by the national Government, and the other part by county governments. That is why this money has to move. We need to get a clear structure. My suggestion is that we get all that money and give it to the counties for them to pay the people. People are best paid where they work. Money should come through the supervisors that they know. You cannot be working in one level of government and your money comes from another level of government. If there is a delay, you do not even know how to follow up on that money. These are things we should do. We know that there are a lot of funds that come from our international development in the form of grants and loans. Those monies are being given to Kenyans that live in the counties. I do not know Kenyans who live at the national level. I do not know where they are. In fact, we should have more programmes at the county level. We should not have arguments about whether the grants or the loans should be moved to the counties. Even where there are revenues arising from activities that take place in the counties, like fines from the courts, it is agreed that such revenue should be shared. Those are issues that should be put into law. After a year, if we feel that the law is not as good as we wanted it to be, we can amend it. We cannot put services on hold waiting for a “perfect law.” I suggest that we focus more on getting the services to our people in the counties. Whatever money we get, it should go to the counties. Arguments should come later. With those remarks, I support this Bill."
}