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"content": "number of changes in the functions set out in the Fourth Schedule between the national Government and the county governments. One of the proposals that we are constantly receiving is the issue of education. As you know on matters that touch on the county, that is, the people of the counties want their governments to deal with agriculture, access to health, education and infrastructure. In fact, education is a top priority. If you carry out a survey throughout Kenya, you will find that people are very much interested in issues relating to education. As concerns other functions like agriculture, health and infrastructure, one can almost say, there is some concurrent jurisdiction on all those issues regarding what the national Government can do and what the county governments can do. When it comes to education, the functions have completely been given to the national Government, including primary schools. This is a matter of great concern and people are saying that we should carry out some amendments. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am glad that Sen. Murkomen has brought this Motion because when it comes to issues of functions, it is not really necessary to carry out a constitutional amendment to change the functions between the national Government and the county governments. The Constitution has provided mechanisms under Article 187 where this can be transferred from one level to another. This Motion is about the transfer of functions which has been set out in the Motion from the national Government to the county governments. I support the Motion because it meets the criteria being set out under Article 187(1)(a) where it says “a function or power would be more effectively performed at a particular level of government” I think we all agree that when it comes to matters of primary schools and secondary schools, these are functions which history has shown, are best performed at the county level. People at the county can have a bigger say in the running of education in their areas. Of course, they cannot be involved in the running of education unless there is infrastructure. This Motion is about the transfer of that. Together with the transfer of functions, enough money has also to be transferred. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the only rider I would want to add to this, and I have talked to the Mover of the Motion, is that for some of us who went to national schools, and I believe very strongly that national secondary schools must continue in this country, a school where people from all ethnic groups can go, mingle together, grow up together and unite as Kenya. I am not boasting, but at Alliance High School, that is where I learnt to be detribalized. My best friends are not even Luhyas, but Kikuyus, Kalenjins, Maasais and Giriama. I have good friends in good positions because of Alliance High School. I think as a Kenyan and as an African. Therefore, those national schools like Alliance High, Mang’u High School, Kangaru High School, Maseno High School and so on, must be encouraged. We must continue to have national schools. Otherwise, you may find somebody who went to a nursery school in Nang’oma, my village, then secondary school in Nang’oma village, then university, one goes to Busia. This person does not know anything about even the neighbouring county of Siaya and so on. We really have to encourage national schools. Therefore, as we do this, we should have in mind that national secondary schools must be preserved and the best institution that can oversee the development of those national schools is not the county government, but the national Government. The county The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}