Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 645908,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/645908/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 68,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wetangula",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Minority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 210,
        "legal_name": "Moses Masika Wetangula",
        "slug": "moses-wetangula"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I stand here not to condemn Governor Munya. The issue of hospital equipment must be looked at within the context of Article 6(2) and the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution which states that health is a devolved function. The national Government is responsible for referral hospitals which are only five in number, including Mathare Mental Hospital. The rest of the hospitals are devolved. The national Government is responsible for Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Mbagathi Hospital, Mathare Mental Hospital and Port Reitz Hospital. Sen. Murungi who is condemning Governor Munya should know that Article 6(2) states that:- “The governments at the national and county levels are distinct and inter- dependent and shall conduct their mutual relations on the basis of consultation and cooperation.” Where there is consultation and cooperation, there is absolutely no harm in national and county governments working together. However, with regard to the issue of hospital equipment, there was no consultation and cooperation. I have taken the liberty in my capacity as a leader in this House and a leader out there in my own right to speak to several governors. There was no consultation between the national and county governments prior to the procurement of the equipment. The national Government simply and arrogantly procured them and forced the county governments to take them, regardless of their wish. If devolution has to work, the national Government must respect the territory of the county governments. Mr. Speaker, Sir, secondly, if devolution has to work, then governors like Gov. Munya and Gov. Rutto must be respected for what they stand for. In this and last year’s budget, there is a figure of Kshs4.5 billion towards the payment of this equipment and no county was left out. Meru and Bomet counties are both included. The reason that the national Government rushed to acquire these equipment is as clear as daylight. I have information that in the procurement of those machines, there was a hemorrhage of Kshs11 billion that was creamed off by those who facilitated the procurement. That is why there was a mad rush regardless of what the county governments think or what Article 6(2) says. They decided to buy equipment for the county governments and force it on them. Who does not know---"
}