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{
    "id": 385451,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/385451/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 58,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Billow",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 260,
        "legal_name": "Billow Adan Kerrow",
        "slug": "billow-kerrow"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, after looking at this matter seriously, I rise to oppose this Motion because of a number of reasons. One, if these debts of the local authorities are transferred to the national government there will be an element of inequity or an element of unfairness to the extent that whatever debt the national government takes and pays will be borne by all citizens of this country because it is going to affect the national resources that will be available for use. These debts have been used by a particular local authority, so it would be unfair for the people of Mandera County, at the national level, to pay for the debts of Kakamega Municipal Council or the excess of the City Council of Nairobi. For example, Nairobi city council has a debt according to the Governor, of about Kshs30 billion. Why would the people of Mandera County suffer for the excess of the City Council of Nairobi? I do not understand. The Nairobi County has taken over the city council and when resources are allocated according to Article 203 of the Constitution, all the factors have been looked at. The second reason I do not support is that we might send wrong signals to the counties. Already we have seen a situation where many county governments have factored huge debts in their budgets for the next financial year. What is going to happen a year down the road? They are going to end up with public debts. Are we going to come here and say that public debts must be taken over again by the national government? We are going to send a wrong signal if we start suggesting that those debts be taken over. 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."
}