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"content": "We all know that is unproductive and a waste of time. The truth is that we have wasted a lot of time attending to such arguments. I, therefore, agree with the Select Committee on the urgent need to review Article 94, which defines the role of Parliament as well as Article 95 which attempts to define the role of the National Assembly. There is also the need to review Article 96 which attempts to define the role of the Senate. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I strongly feel that there is need to define or set out – in clear, precise and specific terms – the role of each of these institutions to avoid the possibility of misinterpretation, confusion and, indeed, to remove any ambiguity of any kind. With regard to the function of law making, I strongly feel that both Houses of Parliament should be allowed to initiate or originate any Bill provided that a Bill should only become law after passage by both Houses. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the other question of significance which has been raised in this Report relates to allocation of finances to support the system of devolved government. We all agree that the reason Kenyans voted overwhelmingly for the current Constitution was because of what devolution promised. Indeed, devolution promised that resources would be brought closer to the people, there would be improvement in service delivery, equitable distribution of resources to all parts of the country, reduction in marginalization and promoting equity all-round in the process. However, all these depend on the amount of resources we were to take closer to the people. The current Constitution provides that the equitable share of national revenue allocated to county governments shall not be less than 15 percent of all the revenue collected by the national Government in any financial year. To make matters worse, this percentage is based on the last audited accounts. You are aware that in the past three years, the last audited accounts have gone back as far as the past five years. Therefore, counties have lost out very heavily. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, all of us – including those in the national Government – must demonstrate our support and commitment to the devolution agenda. Adequate funds must be provided to the devolved units to enable counties to build roads, provide healthcare to all our people, provide quality water and sanitation and make our counties more food secure. Indeed, this is the way to improve the welfare of citizens in our counties. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I, therefore, agree with the Select Committee’s recommendation to enhance the minimum percentage from 15 to 40 percent. Although I would have preferred 45 percent, I will go with the 40 percent recommended, based on the most recent revenue received or achieved. I also agree that in order for Senators to discharge their mandate of representing their counties effectively, it is important for the Senate to be involved and participate fully in the budget making process. This is important because we have to be right there where the Budget is being made, otherwise, it will be too late to give our input. As a Senate, this is the critical role. 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."
}