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{
    "id": 1581319,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1581319/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 97,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Abass",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The Auditor General is giving the report, but we cannot take any action. This House should be able to have a way to say no money for County A or County B, because of how they have used their money, based on the audited report. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the counties have also been given the Road Levy Maintenance Fund (RLMF) money, I think it about three point something billion. Counties are getting at least good money now, but that does not mean that they do not deserve more. Own source resources are so minimal. There are no efforts being made by the counties. They are only relying on equitable share and that should not happen. Counties get to collect a lot of money that is being used without any accountability. In the next budgeting, own source revenue funds must be accounted for, so that this can be part of their budget. The most unfortunate thing is we have a huge budget that is going to the national Government, still for devolved functions, especially the Ministries of Agriculture and Water. There are 18 parastatals whose functions have been devolved. Cabinet memos have already been done. Some of them are supposed to be dissolved and others merged. However, up to now, action has not been taken. I am sure they will be receiving their budget instead of taking that money back to the counties. The national Government is still clinging on the same institutions for which Cabinet memos haven been given. Those budgets should be returned to the counties. Mr. Speaker, Sir, one other thing that is hurting the economy of the people of the counties is pending bills. There should be no pending bills if money is being appropriated. The only time a county should have a benefit is maybe towards the end of the period before the elections. Pending bills are increasing gradually, yet the money is already available. Counties are doing budgets, they have devolved funds and have recurrent funds. Money is always being used for development, and it is not paid at the right time. My own county today owes between Kshs5 billion to Kshs7 billion. I do not see why that much will be there by this time. I expect that money to be reduced gradually, but is increasing. Many Kenyans have lost their money and cannot even invest for their children. Many have closed their business, because many pending bills are not being paid by the counties. This Senate must help the Kenyans who have lost their properties and money. They are at the mercy of the governors who do not even care for them. One county alone has 146 stalled projects; I do not understand how. Why do they want to do things haphazardly? If you cannot complete it, then you do not need to construct any infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as much as we appreciate that the counties must be given money, there a lot of unbelievable misuse of money, unplanned development and huge pending bills. This House must come up with actionable plans that can save Kenyans who are losing their money, properties, and are going hungry today because they cannot afford to take care of their families. I support."
}