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{
    "id": 639364,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/639364/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 234,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Ababu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 108,
        "legal_name": "Ababu Tawfiq Pius Namwamba",
        "slug": "ababu-namwamba"
    },
    "content": "We appreciate the challenge of county assemblies playing an effective oversight role and it is not unique to them because this House has struggled for long in playing its oversight role effectively. The capacity of county assemblies to oversee county executives is a major challenge and that is why expenditure problems are escalating. As we seek to build the capacity of the county assemblies, we should also empower the Senate to assist in this role. Last year, it was disheartening that we did not see it fit to give the Senate funding to strengthen the oversight role. I hope that moving forward we will be enthusiastic as a Chamber to support the Senate and ensure that we provide enough resources to it for that purpose. As we release these funds, I hope the national Government will keep its word and release funds on time and does not become the bat jokes. The other day there was a video called “ Kutengatenga ” going around on social media showing that the Government only sets aside money for various projects, but you do not really see what the money set aside does. This is why the Jubilee Government has serious problems in its traditional support basis like the Rift Valley. They had to go the extra mile to firefight to retain the Kericho seat. This is a serious indictment because you cannot be a Government that merely sets aside going around all corners of the country telling people that you have set aside funds yet people cannot see what you have set aside. For example, the 10,000 kilometre roads programme has been talked about forever. We have also talked about laptops project until it is now a joke. When funds are allocated for a particular programme, then those programmes should be implemented. Money should be released to the counties on time to implement programmes devolved to counties. We do not want governors and executives to use the excuse of delayed disbursement to explain why services like healthcare and water are experiencing serious problems. In my Busia County, the quality of health services and supply of water has deteriorated considerably. County executives will tell you that they have not received funds. We should release these funds on time and hold people responsible in implementing the programmes to account."
}