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{
    "id": 445695,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/445695/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 277,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Wahome",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1700,
        "legal_name": "Alice Muthoni Wahome",
        "slug": "alice-muthoni-wahome"
    },
    "content": "another, it is acceptable as long as agreements are entered into to manage that process. Therefore, I fail to understand where the Member for Kibra Constituency is coming from in his opposition to this Report. In any case, if a county government fails to manage whatever function has been devolved, there is also a provision to bring it back to the National Government, but with necessary consultations and participation of the people. Therefore, we want to commend the Committee for moving this way and we should support them. Looking further, I see a problem of standardization, the duration and quality of services provided. The Committee observed that the sector lacks a framework to address health workers’ welfare and as such, was of the opinion that this should be addressed. Hon Speaker, I support this Report, noting that we are discharging our duties as Members of Parliament. We need to classify the health services. We need a proper mechanism of dealing with emerging issues. We also need to expedite the Health Bill. The Committee has noted the same. In summary, the task-force should look further and engage more deeply with the county governments, so that even what they are doing for the dispensaries at the constituency-level, is addressed. I have personally opened three dispensaries since I was elected. I have done so in consultation with the county government, and there has not been any problem. I am operating as a Member of Parliament and it is still not my function. Members of Parliament continue to facilitate the construction of health facilities. A lot of money from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) kitty is going to dispensaries even though we know that this is a devolved government function. These are also community projects. Therefore, it is appropriate for us to intervene at this level. I believe that the county governments will not be viewing this negatively. Every time we make a move, we are seen from a negative point of view. Hon. Speaker, this is a confirmation that the National Assembly is mindful of how devolution works. If health services fail in this country, we better say it and agree that devolution will have failed. If provision of health services is not properly organized, we will be dealing with a sick community. How shall we be able to justify that we devolved this function? We did not cost it. Even when we heard and saw a crisis, we did not do anything. It is acceptable that we now re-look at it through a proper management agreement. The Transitional Authority, which has sometimes been accused of lethargy and inefficiency, should note that there is concern from the National Assembly on how they manage this particular aspect, together with how they engage the county governments, so that the presumed “killing” of devolution is erased in peoples’ minds. Hon. Speaker, I had, indeed, put an intervention because the Member for Kibra had said that he knew the Senate would not allow this to happen. It is wrong for a Member of this House to use this platform to advocate for the Senate because this is our Floor; it is not Senate’s Floor. I did not get an opportunity to make that intervention, but it is not right for a Member of Parliament to stand here and advocate so much for the Senate, instead of concentrating on the Report that belongs to us. Hon. Speaker, I beg to support."
}