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{
"id": 1613873,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1613873/?format=api",
"text_counter": 292,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Osotsi",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, we needed to get somewhere in the middle. That is why, we came up with a figure of Kshs4.5 billion. So, the figure of Kshs4.5 billion is like a stabilisation factor between the formula that was initially proposed by the CRA and the formula that was initially proposed by the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget. So, we were getting somewhere in the middle. If you talk about Kshs2 billion, then we will still be below what the CRA was proposing to give the small counties. We do not want to be in a situation where we will all say we would rather go for the CRA allocation and not the Committee. We want to trust our own Members who sit in the Committee on Budget and Finance, but can we have a balance? The balance that we are seeking is what Sen. Omogeni is proposing in this formula. That instead of the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget giving us an affirmative fund of Kshs2 billion, let them give us Kshs4.5 billion, so that we get somewhere in the middle, between what the Committee initially proposed and what the CRA had given us. That is the basis of the Kshs4.5 billion. You must note that in this formula, no county is losing. No single county is losing because of the baseline allocation of Kshs387 billion. That is what we are currently getting. So, no one is losing. The formula has three parts. It has a baseline ratio of Kshs387.425 billion, it has an affirmative aspect of Kshs4.5 billion and it has the third component, which shares out the difference. So, every county is gaining. What we are simply saying, as we affirm the counties which get more money to go up, let us also affirm the small counties; the 11 small counties, so that they also reach somewhere near where the big counties are. We are not asking for too much. If you do basic arithmetic based on this formula, yes, the 11 counties will each get an additional Kshs405 million, but in this formula, based on the Kshs405 million, the bigger counties, the remaining counties, will all get an average of Kshs279 million. So, if you do simple arithmetic from all these, you take Kshs405 million, which we are getting, minus Kshs279 million, which the rest are getting, then you see the difference is about Kshs220 million. Surely, if you are getting billions of monies, you mean you cannot sympathize with the small counties by just giving them an extra Kshs200 million? We are not asking for much. We are simply saying, and everyone here appreciates based on the debate that was there last time, that the smaller counties are really suffering. If it is based on that fact, then Kshs200 billion on top of what the others are getting as an extra on Kshs387 billion is not asking for too much. Colleagues, please think about us. As we say, this money is going to the people we represent not the Senators. Madam Temporary Speaker, the Constitution provides under Article 203 for affirmative action. It also talks about ensuring that there are no economic disparities within and among counties. If we go with the formulas that we have had before, in the first, second and third series, then we are not complying with the Constitution. I said here 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."
}