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{
    "id": 467538,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/467538/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 25,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "devolution by delaying the passage of the County Allocation of Revenue Bill. This is a weak kneed reaction and untrue. We all know that regardless of the circumstances, the Senate has distinguished itself as the Upper House and acted with grace. This Senate has acted in the best interest of this Republic on all matters. It is incumbent for us to ensure that we defend the interests of devolution. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the passage of this Bill. Mombasa County, like all other counties, is owed a responsibility by the Senate. Our county is greatly indebted. As the Governor has indicated, Mombasa County has not received any money from the national Government. Therefore, the passage of this Bill will expedite monies being made available to our counties. However, we need to note that immediately all the matters are resolved, with respect to the ruling by the Supreme Court and any other matter that is before the public – matters that might have to take us through the process of constitution- making - we must increase allocations to the counties. That is why I regard the remarks made by the Chair over the last few days as extremely wise. He indicated that the Senate is likely to increase allocation to the counties. In fact, we have no choice other than to ensure that we use every reasonable means to increase resources to the counties, so that counties are able to not only be employment bureaus, but achieve the objects of development. We must have a development budget. That is why I will share in any process that wants to ensure that we mark up, fundamentally, the funds that are devolved to county governments. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, a general assessment of the responsibilities that have been devolved indicates that a majority of these responsibilities of the national Government have now been put squarely within the ambits of the county governments. Therefore, we must reciprocate that with resources. County governments are not just small systems. The reason they have subjected governors to unqualified attacks is because we have given the governors nothing else other than motorcades and chase cars. We need to ensure that governors are given money to deliver on the mandate of devolution. Devolution must not scare any government or national politician. That was the desire of this Republic. We must be able to achieve that with immediate effect. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I share, that we will use every reasonable means to ensure that we are able to audit what is actually required to ensure that we meet the objects of devolution. We also need to ensure that governors and county governments achieve the devolution mandate and that they are able to discharge the responsibilities that they have. Therefore, at an opportune time, this Senate will discharge itself of its responsibility by amending any allocations that were made improperly. We will revisit some of these issues so that adequate resources are allocated to our counties. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Senate has to act with that caution. It is not in our interest to project any fight in a manner that will suffocate our counties. That is the principal warning that I want to offer to the Senate. It is true, and this is a caution, that there are people who do not want to see devolution succeed. It is not by the remarks they make, but by the actions of their offices. This is not about devolving certain political functions. We are looking for economic devolution. People in Mombasa County, for example, do not just want to be pedestrians in the devolution train. We do not want to see people coming in to execute responsibilities without the commensurate funds to ensure that devolution is achieved in the spirit and letter of the Constitution. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}