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{
    "id": 1565922,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1565922/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 337,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "There is the issue of markets. We observed that the national government is handling the construction of markets, which is the responsibility of county governments. That funding should have been included in this Division of Revenue Bill and allocated to the counties, with the national Government coordinating the construction. After all, it is the county government that approves the structures, participates in monitoring to ensure they meet standards and finally grants approval for occupation. Therefore, markets and housing are not devolved. Much of the land where housing projects are being developed is paid for daily. We hope that the deserving people will receive these houses at truly affordable rates since they have already been paid for. However, the financial figures being discussed suggest that we have not subsidised the prices of these houses. There have been questions raised. This morning, there was a heated debate aired on Citizen Television regarding the situation. It was concerning how consultants are dissatisfied with their consultation fees, which has resulted in poor quality work. It is up to each county to ensure that their buildings are structurally sound, that contractors do quality work, and that they can eventually issue certificates of occupation. We must avoid situations like the one witnessed in Mombasa, where a building collapsed, resulting in loss of life. The developer, who was not properly monitored by either the national or county government, ends up making the county to lose money. I am certain that the County of Mombasa will be sued, and we risk losing the funds allocated to them through the Division of Revenue Bill due to carelessness and negligence. The entire building project must be accounted for, including the lives lost, the houses that sustained cracks, and all related damages. This is unnecessary expenditure arising from someone failing to do their job properly. This is why I say there must be prudent use of our money. The Division of Revenue Bill includes our debts, and we continue to borrow funds. Corruption remains a major issue in the country. The structures meant to combat corruption are not devolved and too often, the fight against corruption becomes political rather than genuine. As a result, people are intimidated under the pretense of fighting corruption. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that at the national level, we have a serious fight against corruption. In addition, ethical standards should be upheld. When advertising tenders in both county and national governments, it often feels as though tenders are predetermined. Even when they are published in newspapers, the person who will be awarded the tender is already known. That is how we end up with poorly executed projects by contractors due to inadequate monitoring by both county and national governments. The National Treasury and the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) recently released a report indicating low absorption of funds in the counties. However, what is the actual practice? The money is sent to the CBK, allocations are made to the counties, yet the people urgently need roads and water services that are devolved. We have major projects,"
}