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{
"id": 262246,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/262246/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Magerer",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Energy",
"speaker": {
"id": 51,
"legal_name": "Magerer Kiprono Langat",
"slug": "magerer-langat"
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"content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, from the outset, I want to thank the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government, hon. Mudavadi, and his team for the effort that they have put in trying to come up with a Bill that will actualize the dream of devolution, that has been held by Kenyans for a long time. This Bill will give opportunity to areas that have been systematically ignored, marginalized and given the last consideration in terms of priority for development. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Bill, by and large, meets the requirements and expectations of the people of Kenya, especially those in areas that have waited too long in the queue to have their own say on what is going to be brought in terms of development in their areas. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as we enact this Bill, it important, of course, to note that many issues that have been raised by my colleagues who have spoken earlier, are going to be thrashed out. Particularly, the Constitution talks about a certain percentage that has been fixed in terms of passing revenue to the County Governments. We need to transfer some essential services from the central Government to the County Governments. Of course, this will come along with the same in terms of the finances, because such activities will require financing. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the issue of County Assembly members, I support the level of qualification that has been set given the work that they are expected to do. The capping of wards at 1,450 appears to be a bit low, especially when we are now pushing all the activities to the county level. This assembly is going to be very important since this is where resources are going to be shared. Some areas may have unique issues in terms of land size and also population. Therefore, I want to request or suggest to the Minister that this capping be reviewed upwards, probably by another 300, so that we go to around 1,750, to take care of some of the wards within some constituencies, like mine, which are large. We have different issues that we need to address and it has been very difficult, of course, to try and put together some wards because of the needs that differ in those areas. I know that the 1,450 wards that were suggested are not cast in stone. I believe that this number could be increased, so that we can also have a bigger representation of the people at the County Assembly level, for assurance in terms of the sharing of resources. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think my colleague, hon. Ngugi, talked about the governor not being allowed to have absolute authority in terms of suspending or sacking the committee members. This is clearly provided for under Clause 41(1). This is important because these are appointees of the governor, and the governor must have a leeway in trying to have them work in the best way possible to have the county move in the right direction."
}