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{
    "id": 346997,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/346997/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 233,
    "type": "other",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, it is important that this reality is lived so as to see county governments take off and, to that extent, it is important that we allocate the county governments adequate resources that will ensure that they take off not only in terms of salary payment but also in terms of their functions. We appreciate that it is an un-travelled path but it is the responsibility of the existing Government and institutions, namely, the central Government and institutions like Parliament to midwife the birth of county governments. To that extent, I want to support this Bill and I want to urge the Minister to take the necessary steps to ensure that not only do the county governments have these allocations -I can see below that we have the Appropriation Bill. Without anticipating debate, we want Treasury to go ahead and ensure that it is not only money in paper but also that their bank accounts are available so that money shall be transferred into their accounts to await their signatories. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I want to emphasise that the county governments are not enhanced county councils or municipal councils. These are governments that have a responsibility to their people and have a mandate to deliver on their promise and it is important that as we sit in the capital here, we facilitate these governments so that hitherto marginalized areas like Turkana, Mandera, Suba, Migori, Samburu and Isiolo can now sit down with resources available to them and plan their programmes in a manner that addresses their unique problems. It is important that every corner of this country begins to feel that they are part and parcel of this country called Kenya and that taxes can come to Nairobi and go back to them. It is important that we safeguard the county governments by observing constitutionalism. The Constitution is explicit and it is for the first time that we are doing this – we are tolerating negotiations. Thereon, we will expect strict adherence to the Constitution. The Constitution says that at least 15 per cent of the revenue shall be allocated to the county governments. This is according to the latest ruling by the Auditor- General. That requirement, should it go beyond 15 per cent need not be celebrated because the spirit of the Constitution is that every fund should ordinarily be revamped save to the extent that we make provisions to deal with the national agenda. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, the second thing is that we need to respect the rule of law. Timelines have been set out in the law and this must be observed. We do not want to see a situation whereby governors are going to roam the streets of Nairobi looking for their monies. To that extent, we want to see Treasury observe the timelines in terms of disbursement of these funds. It is also important that there is respect for independent institutions that are designed to safeguard the existence of county governments. There are institutions that are supposed to have input into the whole process of revenue division and allocation and it is important that their opinions are respected because these independent commissions operate from an impartial position. Last but not least, this Parliament has hitherto changed from a budget approving Parliament to a budget making Parliament and we will want to see much more engagement at the preparatory stage of these budget instruments and at the committee levels so that the plenary can be used to do what it is meant to. I also want to say that in the same breath, we want to see the operationalisation of the Equalisation Fund. That Equalisation Fund was put there for a purpose and this country has developed at different"
}