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"content": "counties is Kshs259,774, 500,000. Now, that is shared out on the same formula, and you can see the figures provided in the Schedule. This gives an indication to the Senators how much each of the counties that they represent is going to get, out of that Kshs259 billion. So, figures are computed correctly in the First Schedule and we do not intend to bring any amendments on that, but it gives the Members an opportunity to look at the comparative. Just for comparison purpose, for example, Baringo County last year had a sharable revenue of Kshs3,874,000,000. This year they are going to get Kshs4,440,000,000. On that basis, if I look at Kitui County, because my friend the Senator is here, last year, they got Kshs6,340,000,000 and this year the figure will go up to Kshs7,267,000,000. This is why we, as the Senate, have been insisting on more funds being allocated to counties. The Senators can be vilified and punished by the Members of the “Lower House” but the fact remains that this country can only be developed if there is equitable share of resources. If resources are given to every section and region of this country, all Kenyans can feel proud that they belong to this nation and that the taxes that they pay do, in fact, go to those corners of this country. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to advise our colleagues in the “Lower House” that what is going to the county governments as equitable share is Kshs259 billion out of the total revenue of Kshs2.1 trillion. Since they come from counties, they need to ask themselves what their share is of the balance of Kshs1.8 trillion that remains with the national Government. The Members of the National Assembly from Kitui County need to ask themselves how much Kitui gets. I can tell you for free that none of those Members of the National Assembly can actually tell you how much money they will get in their national Estimates, because resources are not being given out equitably in the national Government. What we are doing here in the county governments is the most equitable way of allocating resources. In the national Government, there is absolutely no equity. One county can get Kshs5 billion, Kshs10 billion or even Kshs100 billion while another county has never seen Kshs100 million. That is the inequity and skewed resource allocation which has destroyed this country for many years. Despite the fact that we have a new political dispensation, resources are still being allocated on the basis of political patronage and whom you know. Unfortunately, our colleagues in the “Lower House” have become part and parcel of the Executive. They are now perpetuating that inequality to the extreme, where we are being told that resources are now being allocated through influence peddling, contacts and all manner of things. This is unfortunate. That is why we need to stand up for our counties, regions and the people of Kenya. The people of Kenya can only be proud that they are part of this country if the money they pay in taxes can be seen at the grassroots; that is in their towns and villages. There is no way you can feel part of this country when you are just a taxpayer, but you are not seeing services on the ground. It is a pity that some parts of this country have never seen one kilometre of paved road. I represent Mandera County in this House which"
}