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{
    "id": 624262,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/624262/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 289,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) F.I. Ali",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13152,
        "legal_name": "Fatuma Ibrahim Ali",
        "slug": "fatuma-ibrahim-ali"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, we were in a meeting in Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa, when the TA members presented to us their report on the work remaining and how much they have covered. They presented a very compelling report to seek an extension of their mandate. According to the Report they provided, they indicated that with the tight schedule and challenges experienced in getting the necessary funds or allocations from the national Government, they have covered 60 per cent of the work and they are remaining with 40 per cent. During the meeting, and I know you were present; the Chairperson of the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee was in agreement with the extension of TA’s term. But I am surprised that he is today opposing the extension of TA’s mandate for two years. I do not know whether he got some instructions from anyone but, with all due respect to the Chairman, Hon. Baiya, I remember he was in agreement. The TA raised a very crucial point on why they are seeking their mandate to be extended. They said that they have done an inventory of the assets and liabilities. What is remaining is crucial; the audit of the asset and liability of public utilities and property. The relationship between the TA and the public is very clear. It provides regular update to the citizens of this country on what is remaining, what they have achieved, what is pending and the challenges they are experiencing. If the TA is not given extension, the opportunity of public information will be lost. The institution that the functions will be handed over to will be the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee, which is an exclusive club of governors and the Executive. The public will not have quality information and a true reflection of what is happening with regard to devolution, what is supposed to be devolved and what is remaining. I support the extension of the TA’s mandate for two years. We all agreed in the meeting at Whitesands Hotel, Mombasa on one major reason. This country has a history and we are in a crisis of corruption. We cannot contain it and we have to declare corruption a disaster in this country. If the TA is not provided with an adequate extension, it is likely that the assets and liabilities will not be audited. We will not know who grabbed public and Government land. It will be business as usual between the governors and the Executive. We are a worried country and we will not have transparency if the TA’s mandate is handed over to the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee. If this House finds it necessary and important to extend the TA’s mandate for two years, there will be a smooth hand-over of the comprehensive work that has been done to the new Government after the 2017 General Elections. If we do not extend the TA’s mandate, the opportunity to handover comprehensive and exhaustive functions and mandate of the national and the county governments will be lost. The public will be short-changed. I want to plead with the House to extend the TA’s term for two more years for them to provide a comprehensive report and audit of all the necessary assets and liabilities of this nation. This is a huge nation that requires an independent institution that is largely and specifically focusing on the work of devolved functions and fast-tracking the remaining part of the work of TA. If we do not extend the TA’s term, we will be very unfair and failing to take care of the interests of this country. With the kind of environment and the Government that we have now, which is swimming in corruption and is unable to contain it, we will not help Kenyans. We will be helping the people who are not handling our resources and finances well. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I oppose the Report of the Committee."
}