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{
    "id": 26289,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/26289/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 277,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Prof. Ongeri",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Education",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 124,
        "legal_name": "Samson Kegeo Ongeri",
        "slug": "samson-ongeri"
    },
    "content": " Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I also want to add my voice to this very important Commission because it is all about revenue allocation. No nation would make any development without the adequacy of resources to be able to exploit the natural potential and other areas of development that would engage its citizenry at the county and national level. I take cognizance of the fact that one of the fundamental roles that the Senate will play--- Clause 10(b) says:- “Upon request from the Senate, make recommendations on the basis for allocating among the counties the share of national revenue that is annually allocated to the county levels of government.” Obviously, there is a disconnect between now and the next Parliament after 2012 elections. I believe that function would be performed by this august House. It is my plea at this stage that even though there are areas that may have been considered by others to be favourably more developed than others, there is sometimes a misconception. For instance, if you go to the County of Kisii or Nyamira, there is a perception that water is available in plenty but if you look at the terrain which is mountainous, you will find that it gives misery to the old ladies and young girls going to fetch water from the rivers down the valley. One of the criteria which should be used by this Commission is the ability to be able to get life supporting services like water. Does the area enjoy abundance of water? Is that water available to the communities and population staying around that region? This is because we have difficulties without water. As part of its criteria, the Commission should allocate sufficient resources to regions where water may be a major problem both for the animals and human consumption. I think that is a very important feature that we need to take into account. This is also an area that can promote development and what one would consider from county to county as good county relations, peace and tranquility. When everybody is satisfied, you can expect peace. However, if everybody is not satisfied, we are creating a lacuna for problems to arise. We have particularly seen what is happening between us and our neighbours in Ethiopia – the Merille tribe – where people are fighting over pasture and water. Again, I emphasize the need on how we should allocate these resources. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I am not quite clear what will happen, but I leave it to the wisdom of this House and the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) Committee. This is because once this Commission is in place, it will appear that Parliament’s role will only be to signal whether or not that allocation has been done in accordance with the law. Therefore, we need to think seriously. In my opinion, I think that the CDF has been a bridge to close the development gaps that have existed in various parts of this country. It is a very popular feature and I do not know how it will be treated when the allocation process and the Commission is in place. I think we need to clarify"
}