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{
    "id": 1565475,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1565475/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 160,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "Development Fund (NG-CDF) at 2.5 per cent. If this House is to concur, then it must also affirm the exact percentage that should go to the counties for each financial year. The reliance on the last audited financial accounts has left counties struggling under deep debt and operating with insufficient resources. If our colleagues believe that 2.5 per cent of the national budget is sufficient for NG-CDF, let us ensure that 15 or even 20 per cent is set as the minimum allocation for county governments. That way, when the budget is laid in the National Assembly, there is certainty that a dedicated portion of revenue will reach our counties. That would be a fair trade-off; 2.5 per cent for NG-CDF, 20 per cent for devolution. That is an important conversation to have. I know there are arguments about revenue performance and its impact on budget allocations. What about NG-CDF? Why is there an effort to entrench it at a fixed percentage while county allocations remain uncertain? Let us reflect on the budgets passed over the last few years. We have Kshs3.4 trillion and Kshs3.6 trillion, yet only about Kshs300 to 400 billion has gone to county governments in recent years. That is approximately 13 to 14 per cent or barely 15 per cent of the national budget is allocated to counties. It is imperative that we set a clear threshold and reach an agreement, keeping in mind the challenges within our county governments. However, the first and foremost conversation must be about devolving resources. We will address the issues of mismanagement and corruption among governors later. We must first ensure that counties receive the necessary funds. After all, the retention of resources at the national level is not due to the absence of corruption. Corruption exists everywhere. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) must fulfill its mandate. On that note, as we deliberate on this matter, I noticed headlines in The Daily"
}