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{
    "id": 536773,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/536773/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 91,
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    "content": "national Treasury--- it might be working but maybe the money does not arrive at the right time and in some instances, it does not arrive at all. We are saying that this money which the Treasury wants to hold, that is, Kshs4.4 billion, should go to the county Treasuries shared equitably so that governors can deal with emergencies as and when they occur. The national Treasury had suggested that we give county governments zero and in this amendment, we are saying that the county governments would be given Kshs4.4 billion. The last reason why we need the House to support the Committee in the varied figure is because of the issue of salaries in the counties for members of the Executive and employees of the County Assemblies and the Members of the County Assemblies (MCAs). After the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) met with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), recommendations were made that necessitated earnings to go up within the year. If we do not make this amendment, the import is, as the county assemblies and as the governors attempt to increase the salaries of employees in accordance with the recommendations of SRC, they will have nowhere to get that money from. As Senators, we were shocked that the chairman of the finance committee, the Governor for Wajir came and told us that they were in agreement with the Government that the money for salaries should not be increased. So, we asked him that since they are agreeing, where is he going to get money to increase salaries? He told us on the face that they are going to get it from the development budget. Our governors, in their haste to look like they are lawmakers have now agreed with IBEC that development which all of us are fighting for in our counties, be sacrificed for the sake of salaries. Therefore, let us raise this money so that there is money for salaries for us to cushion the development funds to remain for development. The final point which I would like to make was casually touched on by the Chairman and it has to do with the leasing of medical equipment. There is a figure of Kshs4.5 billion and another figure of Kshs6.3 billion that is meant to be given to the National Youth Service (NYS). These two Votes are actually scandalous for the following reasons; that the Kshs6.3 billion meant for NYS is being taken to the Ministry of Devolution and Planning. Therefore, the Ministry of Devolution and Planning which was meant to coordinate Government activities is now being given development money. When you follow what development they are going to do, they are doing functions that are already devolved to county governments. So, why is the Ministry of Devolution and Planning going to do the jobs of governors? If they want to use NYS for training or whatever reason it is, let this money, Kshs6.3 billion, be with the governors for training NYS recruits. We are not able to recover it but I want us to remember it in the next financial year. The Kshs4.5 billion is what the Chairman confirmed that we shall sit down with the Ministry of Health and the national Treasury to thrash it out. If we do not thrash it out, this House will be used to abet corruption in the sense that the equipment which is being given to the governors, you can do an outright direct purchase at Kshs181 billion. Since we do not have the technical know-how for servicing, there is a service back-up of 7.5 per cent which is equivalent to Kshs41.3 billion. When you add the two, it is 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."
}