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{
    "id": 647511,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/647511/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 423,
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    "content": "revenues that are being divided between the national Government and the county governments are generated within the country. It is important that we congratulate and urge Kenyans, particularly those who pay Value Added Tax (VAT). These are honest businessmen who work hard to pay their fees. With the introduction of the ETR machines, many Kenyans who are in business have taken up this little gadget, which has enabled this country to collect significant revenues. Therefore, I want to use this opportunity to encourage and congratulate Kenyans who have taken on this noble duty of paying taxes, particularly as they consume the goods that are available in terms of paying VAT. I also wish to congratulate and urge the KRA, which is charged with the responsibility of collecting revenue to be shared between the national Government and the county governments. Every loophole should be sealed in order to make sure that all the revenue that is collected by KRA reaches the consolidated kitty. This is the money that will be shared throughout the country. According to the Acts which have been put in place, if there will be any short-fall, it is right and correct that the national Government takes the shortfall and county governments get the due amounts that is required for the usage. Lastly, we discussed about the leasing of medical equipment. There is no reason for any governor to refuse to take this equipment because funds have been set aside for the payment and the leasing of that equipment. Therefore, I urge every governor to follow the inter-governmental agreements which were reached when this equipment was purchased so that it can be placed within the reach of the populace of this country in order for them to benefit from its usage within the hospitals. We can have enough revenue to be shared, but if we do not tame the beast called corruption in both the national Government and the county governments, all these efforts of collecting and dividing revenue will be in vain. I urge county governments, particularly my county government, which has completely lost the discipline of financial management in managing the funds, to manage the money that we take to the counties so that it can benefit those counties. My county government is in a self-destruction mode, going downhill. At the moment, the executive that is in place is almost unconstitutional and does not obey the one-third gender rule. The public service board is not functional because it has been starved of funds. Therefore, the management of the funds in the counties is of serious concern to this House. I cannot say it anymore than what has been shown. As we discuss this afternoon, it is sad to hear that the county governments used millions of shillings to transport items to the conference in Meru. My county transported pumpkins. I am sure the cost of transporting the pumpkins is high. It was even wrong to transport that product; it should have transported the good tea which we need to market. It would have been a better product to take to the conference, even though it was wrong because the conference is not an exhibition; it should discuss issues. Lastly, as we go into the end of the first five years of devolution, we should be absolutely careful and make sure that counties do not accumulate pending bills so that the next governments can continue to serve the county governments better. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}