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{
    "id": 1584726,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1584726/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 226,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Endebess, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Robert Pukose",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I stand to second the Mediated Version of the Division of Revenue Bill. I join my Chairman in thanking the Hon. Members from the National Assembly who were in the mediation team. They are my neighbour seated here, Hon. GK, Hon. Naisula Lesuuda, Hon. Zamzam, who is the Woman Representative for Mombasa County, and others who are not in the Chamber now. We also thank the Senate team led by Senator Roba for their understanding during the negotiation process, and for agreeing on the mediated figure of Ksh410 billion. This is money that will be appropriated to the 47 counties. The law states that the money that has already been appropriated to the county governments cannot be reduced, even if the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) does not reach revenue collection target. This means that the National Government will bear responsibility. Putting that into consideration, we urge the counties to use this money judiciously. Let it go to the projects they are meant for. Some counties like Elgeyo Marakwet and Taita Taveta have not realised serious development owing to the current formula. After this mediation, there will be a new formula from the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) which has been approved by the Senate and forwarded to this House. This means that all the 12 counties that have not realised meaningful development will now develop. This will enable them to move forward. When you visit counties, what you see in most cases is what the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) has done. You will see projects like schools, administrative offices like those for the Assistant Chiefs, Chiefs, Assistant County Commissioners, and Deputy County Commissioners. You will also see police stations, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices and security infrastructure. However, you do not see anything tangible from the county governments. The Senate should provide proper oversight to the counties. There is some bit of laxity on the oversight role. Yesterday, I watched the Senate proceedings when Senator Sifuna was playing his oversight role in Trans Nzoia County, and I was happy. Senator Kajwang’ – not Hon. TJ Kajwang’ – who is the Chairman of the County Public Accounts Committee in the Senate put my Governor on his toes. I hope Governor Natembeya will respond appropriately to those questions. If he cannot, then wananchi and I will deal with him. This money that has been allocated to counties must be used for the county functions. When you look at the Budget of the National Government, there is Ksh13 billion for primary healthcare. Surprisingly, when you go to the counties, many Level 2, 3 and 4 hospitals do not provide necessary services. We have also recapitalised the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to a tune of Ksh1.5 billion, which means they should supply enough medicines to all our health facilities. Therefore, I call upon the counties to ensure that the health facilities are properly equipped with health products and technologies to ensure services are rendered to wananchi. When you look at the number of devolved functions, health is a major function. It is followed by agriculture and then water. County governments should ensure that this money sent to the counties provides minimum services to mwananchi. This is the only way we can reap from devolution. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}