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{
    "id": 605828,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/605828/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 234,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, during the last 52 years, how many strikes of doctors, nurses and medical technicians have we had because the national Government was not giving them this or that? Why do we make such a big hue and cry about one or two counties where things do not appear to be right? Health facilities are much better now than they were during the time when the national Government administered health. Even roads are much better despite the fact that only 15 per cent is being given. You were an engineer of works and you know very well that roads are now much better in the devolved governments. We have Class “B” roads in Kitui County. For example, we have the Kibwezi-Kitui Road. We also have Class “C” roads. For example, Kabati- Bondoni Road and others which are now under the national Government. However, dare drive through those roads, you will never make it because they are not maintained. On the contrary, drive on roads maintained by the county government and you will see a huge difference. Therefore, people who claim that devolution is not working are day-dreamers. They should know that when this Senate is in existence, no health services will be returned to the national Government. This is because Schedule Four clearly gives county governments the mandate to deal with health facilities. In any case, this Senate devolved that function. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, unfortunately, the Chairman did not talk about the Equalisation Fund. This is a Fund which was created by the Constitution to take care of the marginalised areas; Kitui County included. To date, no money has been released to the counties hat were allocated. It is still held by the Treasury two years after devolution. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I urge the Committee on Finance, Commerce and Budget to insist to the Treasury that the Equalisation Fund be released to counties that qualify so that work can be done. On the other hand, I said that we are not happy with the manner in which allocations were done to some chosen counties. Some counties which are marginalised were omitted. It is high time there is revision of the formula so that all counties that deserve are given funds. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I talked about oversight by us which appears to be derailed. That is why I urge members of the public – through the information that we will give them on the monies that have been allocated to their counties – to insist on funds to be accounted for by county governments. I have seen a trend with MCAs whereby even as late as now; two years since devolution started, they are still going on retreats for bonding. There should not be room for bonding. Bonding was to be done during the first few weeks. What remains is serious oversight. We must look with suspicion at any retreats which are labeled “Bonding between Governors and MCAs.” The season for bonding is over. We should be doing oversight. MCAs should oversight counties so that all of us; MCAs, wananchi and Senators oversight funds because that is a lot of money. It will make a lot of difference. In my county, for example, if Kshs7.2 billion is properly utilised, many things will be done. As"
}