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{
    "id": 646027,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/646027/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 187,
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    "content": "pocketed by the governors to the extent that we ask for audit reports but we get nothing. If we get any, they are just very mildly put. However, no auditor has reported the magnitude of corruption that is in the counties because we have junior officers. Governors are swimming in money and any junior fellow there trying to write something is compromised very easily. Kitui County is a victim of theft. As I speak, Kshs100 million has been stolen. This was granted by a bank here in Nairobi. People have been arrested for the last six months; we do not hear of the progress of the case yet money has been stolen. The Governor has suspended five staff members for alleged corruption but he has not told us what they did. He has appointed a committee of persons who have no knowledge of investigation to investigate them. So, what we see in counties - Kitui County, many other counties and yours because you have been talking about it - it is clear theft of public funds. When we talk about these issues, the governors say that we want their seats. First of all, it is not \"their seats\". They are public seats. However, as far as theft is concerned, if we get proper auditors, we will get somewhere. Not only auditors are incapable but also the criminal investigation agency is not capable. The prosecutor is not capable too. In Nigeria, where we think they are more corrupt, governors are jailed every day. How come our governors cannot even honour summons of the Senate or the courts? Something is wrong with our devolved system. Therefore, as much as we will allocate money – the national Government is giving money and the local revenue is being collected – unless, we tighten the administration of fiscal responsibility in those areas, we are deceiving our people that we are devolving to help them or taking money to them only for the money to be misused. As of now, Kitui County has received Kshs19 billion. This is a lot of money. We have never heard of this kind of money in that county ever since this world was created. However, we are poorer than we were when we devolved. We had many facilities. In a way the national Government has pulled out slightly to allow the counties to function but they have gone to sleep. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you have heard of governors refusing to accept equipment yet people are suffering and sick. They cannot be treated because the governor has refused to accept medical equipment. It is a serious matter. As a Senate, we must seek to ensure that these governors do their work. If it means that Senators will take over those seats when elections are due, so be it."
}