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{
    "id": 603248,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/603248/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 127,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Wakhungu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": "right now. The question is: Why has it taken that long? We know very well that this Bill is very important. Maybe in our Standing Orders we need to give a provision that, in case of any Bill coming from either House, we should know the stipulated time, just the same way Communication from the other House is given priority. Again, if I heard the Mover right, she said that the Bill was initiated by Sen. Mutula Kilonzo. I do not know whether it was the late Sen. Mutula Kilonzo or Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Junior. That distinction is important. Hon. Nyokabi should have put it in place There are many teething problems when it comes to issues at the county level. Of course, the counties need to be supported and protected, just the same way it happens in the national Government. If you look at the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, you will find that you are supposed to spend the money that you budgeted for. We do not want to pass this Bill and encourage the county governments to start incurring debts, knowing very well that they cannot be auctioned. We have a lot of teething problems as far as running the county government is concerned. We are getting worried as 2017 approaches. We have some governors who are not assured of being re-elected. They are likely to incur excessive debts and leave the burden to the incoming governors. It is important that as we pass this Bill, we must put a provision in place so that the current governors spend the money that is budgeted for. In Trans Nzoia County, when it comes to roads, people who were in procurement were giving out Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) fraudulently when he governor was sleeping. You will find a road has been done by about three companies that need to be paid. If we go to court, we are going to lengthen the process and yet these are young entrepreneurs. They are going to face these problems because of the issues that are happening in the counties. The counties must be protected and defended. Of course, we cannot allow things like ambulances, fire extinguishers or bulldozers to be auctioned. We do not expect that to happen because once we do that, public service will be hindered and the provision of services will not be there. These things should be done in an orderly manner and to satisfaction because a lot of corruption has been devolved to the counties. We want the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to move with speed so that such vices can be minimised. We heard of the scandal that happened in Bungoma County about the wheelbarrows. It is a pity. Nobody has been arrested up to now because of the infamous wheelbarrow scandal. As we try to protect the county governments, there must be mechanisms in place that are going to help. We encourage the Senate to continue bringing such laws. This is the first law I have seen from the Senate that is touching on their core mandate. We encourage other Senators to borrow a leaf from Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Junior so that they can continue legislating on issues that are a reality to the counties and continue protecting and defending the counties. I do not want to say much because this is a simple amendment Bill. It is straight forward and has nothing much. I stop there and say that I support. Thank you."
}