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{
    "id": 469050,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/469050/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 81,
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    "content": "for debts. One of the things that we have really impressed upon the Cabinet Secretary for Finance this morning is that following the assignment of the functions to the counties, we do not wish to see a Ministry that will retain those functions and, therefore, the money relating to those functions. We have examples. If you look at Schedule Four, you will find that the functions that have been assigned, particularly in the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and several other Ministries, are very wide actually. So, when these functions have been assigned to the counties, we do not expect Ministries to try and retain those functions and the resources that are tied to those functions. So, we have urged the Treasury to sit with all the Ministries and find out which functions have actually been assigned and whether the resources relating to those functions have actually also been assigned, so that we do not have Ministries still retaining what is not theirs; the same way we do not expect counties to also do functions that are not theirs. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to conclude by saying that this is a very important Bill. It marks a watershed in determining how revenues will be allocated between the county governments and the national Government. I appreciate that the Constitution talks of a minimum of 15 per cent. This Bill actually provides up to 32 per cent. We have challenges on the ground in our county governments. Indeed, we have to admit that capacity problems are there. The county governments may not have all the staff since the public service boards are just being set up and they have to recruit the whole team that will manage all these resources that are going to be sent after the financial year. But it is important that we protect the implementation of the Constitution. The Constitution requires that those county governments be given funds in the manner that is being recommended in this Bill. Therefore, I want to urge all Members of the Senate to, as much as possible support this Bill and ensure that our counties do not actually fail. If you are given functions without the commensurate resources, you are being being set up to fail. If you are given resources and not the manpower, capacity and training, you are set up to fail. In fact, when we come to the allocations to the counties, we will be delving more into that subject. But it is important to note that we have to set the threshold. The threshold of 32 per cent, in my view, is not a bad beginning. However, we must fight to ensure that county governments are entrenched and get their allocations and the Constitution is respected. I think that this is a very important beginning and I want Members to support it. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to second."
}