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{
    "id": 477400,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/477400/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 332,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sang",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 907,
        "legal_name": "Stephen Kipyego Sang",
        "slug": "stephen-kipyego-sang"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Like my colleagues, I rise to support this Bill and noting that this is not the best that we could have done to our counties. It is important to note and appreciate that unlike last year, here we followed the process as provided for by the Constitution. This House passed a resolution on the Division of Revenue Bill, we increased the amount of resources that we thought needed to go to the counties. However, the National Assembly rejected our amendments and we subjected the process to mediation. I know that one of the persuasive reasons our team agreed with the National Assembly team in the mediation process was because we were cognizant of the fact that our counties somehow needed resources. If at all we stood by our position on the Kshs3.7 billion or more, most likely we would have ended up in a stalemate and the counties would not have had the resources. The fact that the Constitution seems to allow the National Assembly to have veto power over some of the things that we would have wanted in this House, is something that needs to be addressed. I hope that our colleagues in the Opposition side, as they work on the referendum question again, they would consider looking at the issues as they are. They should look at anchoring the Senate. I personally believe that we should be able to have a classical National Assembly and the Senate as it is anywhere else in the world, where we have the Upper House and the Lower House. On matters of funding of counties, the veto power should rest with the Senate so that we are able to support counties and protect them as needed and as provided for by the Constitution. Otherwise, in the current constitutional framework, the Senator is a watchman given the mandate to protect the counties, but having their hands tied, while the National Assembly have a gun loaded with bullets, knowing very well that they are targeting counties. Therefore, I think it is important for us to look at the bigger question. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, however, we note that the resources that have been devoted to the counties can still do a lot of work in the counties if the counties are going to utilize these resources in a prudent manner. The issues that have been raised with regard to the Auditor-General’s and the Controller of Budget reports coming out from the counties for the last financial year are worrying. The issue of prudent use of resources is something that is important. I want to highlight a few things that I think county governments need to pay attention to. Whereas we are giving counties these resources which we know are not adequate, but it is disheartening to see certain counties funding functions that have not been devolved. It is important to note that if Governors and county governments can spend 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."
}