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{
    "id": 1566115,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566115/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 165,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "That is the essence of the National Assembly to oversee the National Executive, while the Senate and county assemblies to oversee the governors. I do not see any reason for the National Assembly to argue that counties should receive less funding due to corruption. We have institutions like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to deal with such issues. You have seen the Governor of Trans Nzoia County arrested and arraigned before a court of law. Just the other day, the former Governor of Busia County was taken to court over an anti-corruption case involving Kshs8 million. Several governors are currently facing corruption allegations, with cases being prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the EACC. We cannot allow anyone to derail devolution just so they can centralize funds. In fact, my hope for the future is that we must devolve sufficient funds and resources to counties to the extent that no one is overly concerned about who becomes the President of Kenya. That is my dream. I would like to see Kenya where, when you are in Meru, your people are satisfied and your county’s resources are well managed. Over the weekend, I was disappointed that the County Government of Garissa, led by the Governor, organized a cultural festival, yet the city lacks water and even clean toilets. It is unfortunate that they have not even completed the Baraki-Malamin Water Project, 56 kilometres of water infrastructure that was valued at Kshs219 million. Instead, they are focusing on a cultural festival. In fact, Garissa County has 17 stalled projects, totalling Kshs504 million yet, they have millions of shillings available for cultural events. These individuals should be called out because they are giving devolution a bad name. In fact, they allocated Kshs34 million to purchase food for flood victims in Garissa. However, that money should be used fairly and transparently to ensure real value. When we intervened in Meru by removing the former Governor, it was to restore order and sanity. I therefore call out governors who tarnish the name of devolution. That is why devolution is under threat from certain individuals. Therefore, as a nation, we must agree that funds should be allocated to counties in a manner that guarantees value for money. Secondly, I have observed that as of March and April, equitable shareable revenue has not been disbursed to counties. There is Kshs74.98 billion yet to be released. Under Article 219, and the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning 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."
}