Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 680012,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/680012/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 41,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "allocation to counties has done a good job in terms of assessing what the counties have done and questioning the utilization and mismanagement of the resources allocated. However, it is also important for us, as a House, to move beyond that conversation. Besides interrogation we need to help the counties to grow in terms of getting better systems and structures. If there are cases, during interrogation by the Committees, where some people have to face the law, let it happen. This is because we need to ensure that the counties grow. Now that we are heading towards the general elections, this House needs to ensure that the projects undertaken by the county governments, especially the governors, are within a reasonable cost. I will give an example of a certain county in this country where a standard classroom was built at a cost of Kshs6 million. That is immoral and this House must question that expenditure and the leader behind it. The rate given by Public Works is Kshs1.2 million. The Senate needs to ensure that those who build classrooms beyond the acceptable rates are surcharged. It may be an unpopular decision, but most Kenyans will appreciate it. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Senate has done a tremendous job. It has stood firm to ensure that an equitable share from the national level goes to the counties. It is time to reflect on the best way forward in dealing with matters in the counties. If we cannot communicate with the Governor there are many other structures in the county that we can deal with. Those are the structures that are working. This will ensure that when you go to Turkana, for example, you will feel proud of the billions of shillings that the Senate has sent there. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am also grateful for the ratio that we have brought in on the figures in medical care. In the newspapers today, it is now clear what one is supposed to pay in a private or public hospital. I think the Senate should even go further so that we create a clear procurement structure. We can come up with a Bill that will put standards that you cannot go beyond. I hope that this financial year, Senators will get the money that we requested for oversight to enable us have a conversation with the people in order for them to understand. For the last four years, the Senate has sent Kshs39 billion to counties. We should be able to tell our constituents and citizens in general that we allocated that money, have a conversation with them and find out whether the monies that we allocated them from the national Government and the local revenue from the county has helped in expansion, improvement or access to affordable healthcare. For example, if your county is receiving Kshs7 billion and you have seven constituencies, if you are a good governor, you will allocate Kshs1 billion to current expenditure. The rest of the money can be shared among the constituencies in a manner that every constituency can feel that their governor is working for them. There are some counties where we would like to see a lot of development in progress but we are worried. In the disbursement sheet, there is a county whose balance is only Kshs10 million. I do not know if it will be for salaries. You cannot even tell what that money can do. On the other hand, you will find a county with Kshs3 billion. The question is: Is it that you have collected enough local revenue and so you are saving your money or what is happening? Those are some of the things that each Member of this House should interrogate when you look at your disbursement sheet. If you find your 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"
}