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{
    "id": 473953,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/473953/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 168,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "2009/2010 audited revenues, approved by the National Assembly, the county allocation of Kshs226.66 billion represents 43 per cent of Kshs529.3 billion audited revenue approved by the National Assembly in accordance with Article 203(3) of the Constitution.” We agreed on that and it is just on presentation. We thought that our presentation in the Senate was more useful for the layman or the public out there, but when we discussed, Members felt that the percentage needs to be reflected because of the constitutional requirement and we agreed to that. The second was the amendment to Article 4 of the Division of Revenue Bill regarding the allocation to Level Five Hospitals. The Committee discussed the issue and noted the fears of the Senate that Level Five hospitals risk closure if they are not well- funded. The argument we gave was that counties with Level Five Hospitals will be unfairly disadvantaged as they will be forced to put in an extra amount of the equitable share to run the Level Five Hospitals which provide services to other nearby counties. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it was also noted that the monies that the counties are getting from the equitable share may not be sufficient to run the Level Five Hospitals. Those counties had made a specific request for an increase in additional revenue to support the running of those hospitals. We also noted that there is an urgent need to conduct costing of Level Five Hospitals’ functions to determine the amount of resources required to run them. We looked at all these and concerns were raised by the Committee on the utilization of funds by the counties. There are accusations in the media that counties are now misusing money and we have also seen reports from the Auditor- General and the Controller of Budget. It is said that counties are using money on issues that are not of priority. We assured the Committee, the Senate was engaged in active consultations on all budgetary issues and that we are in the process of setting up a framework on county government ceilings on expenditure. Based on these discussions, it was agreed that there is an urgent need for the Health Committees of the two Houses of Parliament to work together in consultation with other stakeholders to address the issues of Level Five Hospitals. We considered all the issues raised. Biefly, the Mediation Committee recommended as follows: That the national Government shall allocate an additional Kshs1.87 billion, being conditional allocation for the financing of the Level Five Hospitals as currently listed. What that means, therefore, is that the counties will get the equitable share of Kshs226.6 billion, but they will also get a conditional allocation of Kshs1.87 billion. That is what we have agreed as the Mediation Committee because of the fact that the time is running out and we have to get this Bill passed so that we can go to the County Allocation of Revenue Bill next week. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the county budgets are also still waiting for these Bills to be passed before they can be allowed to draw money from the county revenue funds by the Controller of Budget. So, it is also important for Members to note that fact because the estimates of the National Revenue have already been tabled and approved by the 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."
}