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{
    "id": 450691,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/450691/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 302,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": ". It was a shock and it only brought out how uninformed a number of these Governors are. If the CoGs can actually say that the Senate is usurping the powers of the Executive, it is very misleading to the Kenyans. This is because we do not intend to usurp their powers at all. We will actually be doing complementary roles. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the one thing that they did not realize is that they are not starting afresh or anew. Development programmes in this country have been undertaken through institutions and frameworks such as the District Development Committees (DDC). The recent one was the District Steering Groups (DSGs), where we had members or departmental heads from various line Ministries and donor agencies. I will repeat and say that this is not in conflict with Section 54 of the County Governments Act. It is very misleading. In fact, that is a small forum that will have only brought together departmental heads. The flying visits that a number of our Governors do to our constituencies in the counties, in the name of collecting information and trying to say that they are going to help communities to identify projects, is not looking for development priorities. It is in a sense mischievous and actually helping communities not to realize their ultimate goals in terms of development. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other thing which the Governors and Kenyans must also know is that beyond development, these forums provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss challenges such as security, droughts and other emergencies in this country. So, it will be a forum that will look beyond the county funds. It will look at even the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) and donor funds. Lately, a number of investors have shown interest in most of the counties. So, it is not really going to talk about monies that have been voted for various counties alone. It is important for Kenyans who are listening to us this afternoon, to understand that devolution is a very huge concept. Unfortunately, the Governors think that when you speak about devolution, you are speaking about Governors. We are not speaking about them. When we speak about county governments, we are not speaking about Governors. They are only heads of small governments. Mr. Speaker, Sir, when you speak about the national Government, the President sits comfortably where he is and he has actually delegated responsibility to Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries. He does not meddle in small jobs that have to be handled by people at the lower levels. Governors must take their rightful place, take charge and sober up. It is unfortunate that the people who are expected to deliver to our communities are so much engrossed in their personal and selfish greed. I will not shy off from saying this."
}