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{
"id": 1604291,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1604291/?format=api",
"text_counter": 246,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Oketch Gicheru",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "counties who if they misappropriate the non-discretionary expenses, then we are only really creating 11 billionaires every five years in those counties, in the form of governors. So, this is a rot in the redistricting or rather the formula that was used to draw the counties by using the 1992 districts, and that rot cannot be corrected by simple element of delineation. It can be corrected by finding a formula that can enable those counties get monies to run budgets for development and services. Therefore, that is why when we got here as the Committee on Finance and Budget and listen to Senators, the Senators did propose that in lieu of that problem, let us seclude about Kshs2 billion to make sure that we give these counties, and if possible, pass a law to ring-fence that money to go to development of those counties. Now, the reason for this amendment by Sen. Omogeni from Nyamira is that which is being ring-fenced of Kshs2 billion, which every county will get an average of about Kshs181 million, is not adequate to cushion development. It is not adequate enough to cushion service delivery. We understand that. However, the proposal of Kshs4.46 billion, I think might be edging it too far, reason being that there is no scientific formula that guarantees all the county governments, which part of the money they receive they put for development. While I agree with the principle that we need to add just a little bit more money above the Kshs2 billion, I think that Kshs4.42 billion might be prohibitive to a conversation with other delegations from other counties. So, for us to be magnanimous with these counties, I want a way forward. I plead with the Senators. First of all, the 11 Senators who have brought this amendment through Sen. Omogeni, and then the other colleagues from other bigger counties, why can we not make it Kshs3 billion? I think Kshs3 billion can be a compromise that allows for proper ring-fencing money for development for these counties, but also is not prohibitive enough to make us not pass this formula this week. This is because there is urgency in passing this formula this week. I will tell you why. While we are fighting for Kshs387 billion, there is a bigger conversation about costing of county functions. We have never sat, as a Senate, so that we use the instrument of costing county functions as a conversation between us and the national Government. So, we need to pass this formula with urgency this week and then we retreat, prepare, come back to fight with the national Government on how much must counties get. The issue of DORA is the next conversation that we must now invite all of us. When we are going to that table of fighting for that money, all of us must go. We must not have some Senators from the 11 counties on crying this other side, while the Senators from the 36 counties also crying on the other side. We must move together. Let us all agree that, yes, the Kshs2 billion is small, but Kshs4.46 billion might also be on the higher side. I, therefore, plead with my colleagues, let us make it Kshs3 billion and let us not debate it further. Let us sit down, get the Kshs3 billion to these smaller counties, give them the power to run development, ring-fence that money for development and then, now we start talking about the Kshs465 billion. That is the bigger cake. Even if we give these counties Kshs3 billion, it will barely be enough for development in Lamu. Madam Temporary Speaker, when I went to visit my brother, Sen. Omogeni, I found out that things like water are still a dream for people in those areas. If you are not 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."
}