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{
    "id": 393547,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/393547/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 235,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13156,
        "legal_name": "Mutula Kilonzo Jnr",
        "slug": "mutula-kilonzo-jnr"
    },
    "content": "agents who are serving county interests, should go a step further to look into this Motion for purposes of ensuring that devolution works. There is something else that is more important. The Members of the Speakers’ Panel as far as MCAs are concerned had similar concerns which were addressed very quickly. Members of the National Assembly had similar complaints but were addressed very quickly. Why would we take very long to address issues concerning MCAs? As we debate this, we, as the Senate, should not quietly turn a blind eye to what is absolute discrimination and skewed manner of dealing with agents of devolution of people who have been elected to positions of very sensitive nature. I had an occasion to talk to some of them and they told me that I was very lucky. Every weekend, they have to attend funerals, weddings and many other functions. They say that they have five cards, at any given time, for harambees. The only way to address this is not to go out of their way, but to run away because they cannot manage the expectations of the people. The other day, we debated some amendments that were made, it is fair that I mention this, to the Budget of the Turkana County. I will pick one aspect; the one that the Governor got an excess of Kshs200 million for the purpose of a residence. This reinforces the point that was raised by Senators that, in fact, the question whether or not there are funds available to pay MCAs is not an issue. This should not be an issue and should never be raised as an issue. It should be sorted out as quickly as possible. These people are also supposed to oversee the disbursements of Kshs4 billion or Kshs5 billion in the counties. That amount of money goes through them. They see where the county executives are paying themselves monies which are not commensurate to what they are earning and yet, we expect them to pass the budgets with a blind eye and not do anything about it. I suggest that we, as a Senate, must with one voice state clearly that we do not allow discrimination and skewed management of counties, especially when it comes to counties vis-a-vis the county assemblies. My last point is that under Article 230(7), the Senate acts on behalf of the county governments. This debate is overdue. We should enforce the provisions of the Constitution as far as our role is concerned with regard to remuneration of public servants who are working extra hard to make sure that devolution comes to the fore. Lastly, I will associate myself with sentiments made by several Senators about movement of these people. For example, in Makueni, these people must get to the County Assembly in Wote. Some of them come from Kibwezi which is 150 kilometres away. They are also expected to attend all the sittings. How do we expect them to serve this nation and find their way to the county assemblies to do legislative work when their fuel allowance is not catered for? These are people who are expected to work extra hard so that counties are functioning. The expectations we, as the Senate, have put on the county assemblies under the County Governments Act, are tremendous. They are huge. It is only just that we pass this Motion and go a little further and ensure that MCAs, all over the country, do not get to a stage where they go on a go-slow because it is an antigen to devolution. The MCAs are now on forced recess. In most counties, the legislative agenda has not begun. They have not passed any law. For instance, Makueni County has not even passed the Finance Bill. As a result, there are no collections that have been done in 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."
}