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{
    "id": 639302,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/639302/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 172,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. M’uthari",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1576,
        "legal_name": "Joseph M'eruaki M'uthari",
        "slug": "joseph-meruaki-muthari"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support this important Bill which clarifies the division of revenue between the two levels of governments. It is important to realise that the money that we are giving to the counties, the counties also wait to spend it. In my opinion, the leadership of the counties should consider counties as cost centres, so that at the end of the day, we see value for the money that we give. In my constituency, if you compare the CDF and the money that is allocated to the county, there is very little from the county. Spending of this money does not consider the needs and the aspirations of the people. As we allocate the money, we should create a mechanism to ensure proper investment of the taxpayers’ money. At the end of the day, many regions experience greater benefit than others. This is again the responsibility of the citizens of this Republic. In the process of identifying leaders, regions get what they need according to the leaders they have put in place to be responsible. Hon. Speaker, the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution states clearly the functions of the county governments and the functions of the national Government. We should expect more benefits at the devolved units. For instance, in agriculture, we expect to have vibrant activities at that level. We expected many communities to experience the benefits of devolution, but that is not the case in many counties. We also expected better health services, but that is not the case in many counties. We also expect to have better infrastructure in terms of roads. Instead, governors have gone to court to demand more money and functions. At the moment, very little is realised from the money that is entrusted to them. It is important that the various bodies that we have allocated money to, as indicated in Table Two, do their part. Bodies that have been given responsibility to oversee the expenses and ensure that justice is done to the citizens should do it properly, so that we have value for money at the centres that have been allocated money. They should stimulate development and facilitate citizens to live a better life. I can see allocations for safety nets for people with various challenges. This money has not been increased. This is the money that goes directly to the disadvantaged citizens of this country, including the aged, orphans and vulnerable children and the disabled. This provision should have been increased, so that more people can benefit because there are more aged people in this country. It is also important to consider aspects of our economy that will lead to greater productivity and improvement in the wellbeing of more citizens. If there is improvement in livelihood and productivity, more benefit will spread to the citizens."
}