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{
    "id": 536764,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/536764/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 82,
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    "content": "reduction of county equitable share during the scrutiny and approval of the Budget Policy Statement, the Committee proposes as follows: (a) The Committee noted that there was need to provide for an additional conditional allocation of Kshs4.4 billion to counties to provide for county emergency funds. This will facilitate the setting up of county emergency funds for each county government in line with the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act (2012). It is becoming apparent that there are a lot of emergencies. In some counties we have seen droughts that have led to death of animals and people. In others, there have been floods in recent weeks. There are all sorts of emergencies like accidents. In some counties in a very small stretch, there occur accidents every day in which so many people lose their lives. The Committee is recommending that we provide Kshs4.4 billion for that purpose. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will shortly explain where the Committee proposes that this money should come from. (b) The Committee was of the opinion that we will bring an amendment at the Committee Stage for an additional Kshs1.536 billion for Level 5 health facilities. The Members felt that the Kshs2 billion provided for Level 5 facilities was not adequate, so that the total for the Level 5 health facilities’ conditional allocation will come to Kshs3.6 billion. In fact, in the public representations that we received, there were assessments which have been done by some organizations of the Level 5 hospitals. These hospitals have had serious problems in terms of service delivery; in terms of inadequacy of cash. So, we thought it is important to provide an additional Kshs1.5 billion to bring the total to Kshs3.6 billion. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Committee also noted the significant deviation made by the national Treasury in providing for adjustments of salaries and allowances for county assemblies and executives. We observed that the increment had been effected vide various gazette notices that had been issued by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and other guidelines issued by the Transition Authority (TA). If you remember, last year, the SRC reviewed the salaries and allowance of MCAs and other county executive officials. So, the total cost of that review was coming to Kshs12.5 billion. That was an additional cost. For example, the MCAs were allowed to have offices at the ward level in order to have some presence on the ground. The total cost of the additional allowances and salaries approved by the SRC was coming to Kshs12.5 billion. In the Bill, Treasury had proposed that we give the counties an additional Kshs4.5 billion to support that. The counties were to look for the balance from their usual equitable share. The Committee looked at it and thought that it could be very difficult for counties because that is a huge amount and it will affect the amount of money that will go for development. (c)The Committee is proposing to increase the allocation for salaries, gratuity and allowances for county executives and assemblies by an additional Kshs1.7 billion so that we bring the total to Kshs6.2 billion. In other words, that Kshs12.5 billion will be shared equally. The counties will get an additional Kshs6.5 billion and the Government saves Kshs6.2 billion. 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."
}