Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 392955,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/392955/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 168,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Elachi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13115,
        "legal_name": "Beatrice Elachi",
        "slug": "beatrice-elachi"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I also rise to support and second the Motion knowing very well that, indeed, as Sen. Sang has said, these are similar challenges that we are facing, especially when you look at the reports of both Mombasa and Kilifi counties. Knowing very well that we have different committees that have gone around the country, and I am really hoping that they will also table their reports so that we are able now to bring up one major report of our six months since we started as the Senate and since devolution started within the country. It will guide us now to look at whether, indeed, the TA is still needed. We, as a Senate, believe the Attorney-General is right when he says he wants to turn the TA into a committee. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I look at the report, there is one major issue that is raised across the board. This is the issue of auditing the assets and liabilities within those counties. Hon. Senators will agree with me that in a transitional period, there is a lot of confusion. This is the period most counties are losing their assets. So, when you hear counties demanding for audit of their assets and liabilities, it is important for us, as the Senate, to urge the national Government to expedite this exercise. It is important to know what belongs to these counties and what belongs to the national Government. The other issue is about the staff of counties. When you look at the staff today, they are also worried. Most of them have worked for many years, but in different positions. Most of them are now worried about their pensions and other benefits. They would like to know who is responsible for their retirement benefits. They would like to know how many of them will be retained in the counties and those who will be deployed by the national Government and how many of them will be retained by their line Ministries, but still work in counties. These are some of the issues they would like to be clarified to them. We want to see this done in a transparent manner and that nobody will be victimized. This exercise of deploying or retaining staff within a country must be done above board and within the provisions of our Constitution. We must ensure that we safeguard our people through the Constitution. The Constitution stipulates that everybody has a right and freedom to work in any part of this country. Therefore, as a Senate, we must protect all the employees and make sure that those who will opt to retire get their benefits. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other thing in the report which came out very clearly is the issue of the Public Finance Management Act. I am worried because governors might find themselves in conflict with this Act. We will find them not able to deal with donors and other development partners who would wish to support their counties. This Act might also discourage investors from investing in those counties. The Senate needs to look at that and assist the counties to come up with a clear framework. We should review this The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}