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{
    "id": 450528,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/450528/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 139,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "has happened since we started off devolution. It does not, in any way, compromise the oversight role of Senators. This is one of the complaints that the Council of Governors raised. It is important to note that before this Bill was prepared to this format, it was discussed with the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC), Committee of Legal Affairs and Human Rights with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and other institutions and it was clear that it does not, in any way, confer any executive powers on Senators or Members of that Board. The Bill aims at strengthening the existing structures. It does not eliminate any of the structures which are there. It is not superfluous, in any way, and does not undermine any of the existing structures, or legislative authority of the county assemblies. One of the key issues of this Bill is to provide a forum; you will find this in Section 2, for consultations and coordination. How does anyone interpret, particularly a Governor of a county, that a forum that provides for consultation and coordination amounts to usurping the powers of the county government or giving Senators executive role? That is farfetched. Section 2 clearly provides for a forum for consultation and coordination between the two levels of Government. This is only with regard to development and projects. We will not discuss how they spend their money, recruit their staff, or how they will run their issues. This is about looking at the development paradigms of the county. Where are the priorities? Where should we put our money? That is all. This is something that is essential for all the leaders to get involved in. The second aspect on Section 2(b) gives our input as elected leaders on the development plans of the counties. Again, that is vital. You will remember the concern that was expressed in the memorandum of the Bill. We have different devolved Funds in the counties. We have the CDF and many other Funds which are there. This will give us an opportunity. There is the national Government funding for development. This will give us an opportunity to sit on a table, all the players in the county to discuss where the county money should go. If it is a borehole, probably, the county government has already provided for funding for it in the Ministry of Water estimates or the CDF has already provided for it. In fact, this gives the county an opportunity to limit its programme to areas that have not been covered by the other development institutions. Thirdly, this gives us an opportunity to give our input on the annual budgets of the counties. Again, this is a critical area. Budgets represent the plans. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}