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{
    "id": 1558257,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1558257/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 78,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale)",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 170,
        "legal_name": "Bonny Khalwale",
        "slug": "bonny-khalwale"
    },
    "content": "deepening personnel and fiscal crisis within the County Government of Kakamega. If this crisis left unchecked, threatens not only the welfare and morale of county workers, but also the overall stability of service delivery and public trust in the county's governance systems. It has come to my attention that throughout the entire calendar of the year 2024, the County Government of Kakamega deducted statutory pension contributions from its employees, but failed to remit the same to the County Pensions Fund. This non- remittance has left county employees in an extremely precarious financial situation, risking their long-term savings and retirement security. In addition to the pensions, the County Government also failed to remit other critical statutory deductions, including those related to bank loan repayments, cooperative society contributions and medical cover premiums. These omissions have led to penalties being imposed on our workers in Kakamega, some being blacklisted by credit reference bureaus, others being suspended from essential services such as health insurance and others faced with legal threats from financial institutions. County personnel are now facing immense personal and financial stress while continuing to serve under very difficult circumstances. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the dossier presented in my office indicates that despite routine deductions being reflected in employees' pay slips, no transfers were made to the relevant third-party institutions. This includes banks, insurance providers, cooperative societies and pension schemes. It is deeply regrettable and alarming that even salary increments approved for the 2023-2024 financial year were not honoured and that certain cadres such as early childhood development education teachers, health workers and enforcement officers were most affected. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this trend points to systemic financial mismanagement by the Governor and lack of accountability in the county's payroll systems. The consequences of these failures are dire. Staff morale has plummeted with widespread reports of delayed promotions, arbitrary changes in job designations and lack of adherence to law that concerns labour governing public service. Many health workers have reportedly relocated due to non-payment or underpayment compromising service delivery in critical sectors such as public health and sanitation. Moreover, the County's inability to meet its obligations and objectives to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Local Authorities Provident Fund, (LAPFUND), exposes it to legal penalties and disqualifies it from accessing critical financial incentives. Of greater concern is that these breaches are occurring despite the County Assembly of Kakamega having passed all the necessary budgetary allocations to facilitate payments. The question that must now be answered is: where did the money go? The absence of transparency in the handling of county finances has triggered justified fears of misappropriation, if not outright embezzlement of public funds. I am aware that a formal memorandum has since been submitted to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detailing these malpractices. The memorandum includes documentary evidence outlining how these irregularities have persisted despite protests and formal notifications. 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."
}