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{
    "id": 392970,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/392970/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 183,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Lesuuda",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13122,
        "legal_name": "Naisula Lesuuda",
        "slug": "naisula-lesuuda"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to support this Motion and congratulate these two committees; the Sessional Committee on Devolved Government and also the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for undertaking this very important activity to go out to one of our counties and see how devolution is working. Just as Sen. Sang has said, this is just a reflection of what is happening in many of our counties. Many of the recommendations here are views that we received in the counties that we visited and after interacting with some of the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). It is important to also note that many of the recommendations that have been made by these two committees are contained in the Motions that we have been passing in this Senate. So, the MCAs and the public have the same aspirations that we have been having here in this Senate. We have passed several Motions here where we have recommended that the Government needs to think about training and capacity building of our MCAs. This is something we have passed here through a Motion. There are other Motions we have passed here, for example, the need for a college similar to the Kenya School of Government model that would train staff at the county level. Therefore, it is important and imperative for us to think of how we can realize these issues so that it is not a matter of whether or if the governor at that particular time or the county assembly of that particular time feels like. It should be a law that should be followed and adhered to. Some of these recommendations are very key and are things that we have been grappling with. For example, there is a Bill that Sen. Sang has been talking about; there is a Bill talking about how we are going to manage the funds going to the county governments. We have the county funds going to the governor’s office, we have the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) and now we have the Uwezo Fund which will also be devolved to the counties. So, it is important for us to think beyond the supremacy battles. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in our nation, the person who has the money that can do a few projects at the constituency or the county level is seen to be working than somebody who is going to provide oversight. For example, people are asking why the Senators are not fighting to control any funds or developmental issues at the county level. Therefore, it is important that apart from those battles we are having, we should think about these issues 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."
}