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{
    "id": 628059,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/628059/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 330,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Ndiema",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1067,
        "legal_name": "Henry Tiole Ndiema",
        "slug": "henry-tiole-ndiema"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you for that. However, the fact is that even in the Constitution and its spirit, the basis of any division of revenue between the national and county governments would be the growth of revenue. It does not talk about economic growth and so forth that is being introduced now. That factor is not there. By using 7.9 per cent, there is, therefore, a likelihood that the stage is being set so that an agreement will come up to say, the proposal of Kshs302 billion to counties carries the day because of that figure. We should ensure that if there is revenue growth, then that benefit should be shared equally between the national and county governments in a fair manner according to the formula. That is what the Constitution envisages. We are in a transition period and we are now at a stage where we can say, yes, most of the functions have been devolved to counties unlike the previous years. In fact, the term of the Transition Authority (TA) is ending. Therefore, it is assumed that counties will take up most of the responsibilities of the devolved functions. The devolved functions are very central to the livelihoods of our people. Food is very important but agriculture has remained under-funded even for all the years that we have been devolved. Health is also key. Infrastructure whose bulk now falls under county governments is key as well because we are talking of rural roads. We should also as Senate, being a House that represents counties and county governments; that champions the counties, in a non-partisan manner analyze these figures with a view to safeguarding and preventing any mischief that may arise leading to reduction in funding to counties. With those few remarks, I support the amendments."
}