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{
"id": 1625582,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1625582/?format=api",
"text_counter": 333,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "why all of us should be here although I know my colleagues are following keenly on the Floor of the House and in our lounge because this is critical. Madam Temporary Speaker, I heard somebody trying to castigate the former Prime Minister in one of the events, which is uncalled for. As a Senate, we had said that Kshs465 billion should go to counties. It is the economic reality. I was also disappointed at the beginning, because we thought counties should get more. Looking at the national budget of Kshs4.2 trillion, we thought the counties should get 50 per cent of the national budget. Madam Temporary Speaker, because of the economic realities, the Committee of Finance and Budget and the Mediation Committee came back with Kshs415 billion to the counties. I want to set the record straight. To many Kenyans from our 47 counties, we did add almost Kshs28 billion, up from last year when we had Kshs387 billion, under shareable revenue. So, there is additional funds. I would like the Fourth Estate, Kenyans and governors to get it right, that there was an additional funding to counties, courtesy of our Mediation Committee and also the Committee of Finance and Budget. Madam Temporary Speaker, for example, in Nandi County, we are going to get additional funding, up to Kshs7.7 billion in shareable revenue. For Kenyans to understand, shareable revenue is not inclusive of additional funds, conditional funds, such as grants and own-source revenue. Kenyans can understand because many people confuse and governors take advantage and tell them there is no money that has been released from Nairobi, yet they are not telling Kenyans there are additional funds and conditional funds, including grants. I know later in the day, with your indulgence and understanding, they will be able to move the Equalisation Fund, which is yet to be released. All this money will, in one way or another, go to our counties for development. So, on the shareable revenue, I am happy that as a House, we did sit down. It is our vision to have counties get more funds day in, day out, for the benefit of development. I saw the Senator of Nairobi City County bring a statement on the stalled projects in Nairobi City County. Those are the challenges that we are facing. Even in my county, I did indicate earlier that there are so many stalled projects. The Nandi County Assembly did consider an ad hoc report where Kshs6 billion worth of projects cannot be accounted by the County Government of Nandi. It is unfortunate because when you go to Chepterwai, Nyayo Ward dispensary, where I was on Friday, has stalled yet the people of Mosop Sub-County and people around have to go to Western Kenya to seek medical services. Kobujoi Hospital has also stalled as well Kapsengere Hospital in Terik Ward which is neighbouring you, Madam Temporary Speaker, in Kisumu County. This is affecting provision of health services in that region. I hope when we push to increase this money through conditional allocation of revenue to counties, it will assist to jumpstart, facilities like Kapsengere Hospital. It is also unfortunate that the newborn mother and baby unit in Kapsabet Town Hospital is wobbling and yet to be completed. Similarly, Kabiyet Dairies Company Limited has been built for the last eight years by the County Government of Nandi. They have not been able to even process 100 millimeters of milk in that facility, yet that project being co- financed, has consumed close to Kshs1 billion. 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."
}