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{
    "id": 1566116,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566116/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 166,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "should be aware of this, that once money has been allocated, it must be disbursed without undue delay, unless halted under Article 225. The Constitution only envisions withholding funds when Article 225 applies. The violation of Article 219 is concerning. I recall that we did not sanction the former Cabinet Secretary, Ukur Yatani, over delays in county disbursements. I commend the National Treasury for releasing approximately Kshs22 billion in capitation fees for the second term of schools. However, they must also release the Kshs74.98 billion owed to counties from February, March and April to ensure that county functions can proceed seamlessly. Apart from addressing corruption and ensuring prudent expenditure by counties, we must reach a consensus as a nation. As we proceed into mediation, we must agree that our position as the Senate is to push for Kshs465 billion. Members of the Senate Committee on Finance and Budget who are here should take note of that. The other issue concerns concurrent functions. We need to have clarity on Community Health Promoters (CHPs) programmes. In various counties, CHPs have not been paid. Additionally, there is the issue of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). I hope you have noticed that whenever you drive into Parliament, UHC staff are always demonstrating. You have even directed from your seat that we receive their Petition. These are the people who stood at the frontlines while soldiers remained in their barracks and while powerful men and women sought shelter during the COVID-19 crisis. It is only these heroines and heroes of Kenya who bravely confronted the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. It is sad today that the country does not see the value of the UHC staff. The other day the Council of Governors (COGs) said they do not have a budget. They were arguing that they gave us a pet to take home, but it turned into a skunk or they gave us a skunk to take home and turn it into a pet. I want to challenge the National Assembly, that under the conditional grants, we should give at least Kshs2 billion to ring fence the transition of UHC staff. They must first be given gratuity so that they can get value for money. The UHC workers are demonstrating daily. We must listen to them. If you can recall, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, was here last week. Although he said he does not take my counsel, but my counsel is rarely given and it is valuable."
}