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{
    "id": 680019,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/680019/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 48,
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    "content": "education in the easiest and simplest way possible, so that we are able to make devolution work. As the Senator for Murang’a County, I am expected to make the rural roads accessible, connect piped water to schools and build classrooms, just the way I used to do when I was the Member for Kiharu Constituency. It is important for them to understand the county allocation of revenue, Article 96 of the Constitution and appreciate how much time it takes for us to create a formula that makes it possible for counties to get money. They need to understand that without the Senate, no money can go to the counties, as it might be apparent today if this Motion is not passed. Without the devolved system of Government, there cannot be the county government. Without the Senate there cannot be the county assemblies. If the Senate is not there, in due course, we shall have to go back to the centralized system of Government, which people fought so hard and for so long to move away from. This morning, I want to challenge my colleagues that the Senate as an institution has the duty, not just to the individual Senators, but to this nation, to help in civic education to Kenyans, so that they exactly understand what it is that we are trying to do. The fact that the money we are supposed to vote for this morning will be used in the counties and we may not know how it is used, in my view, is not enough reason to frustrate it. I know of some counties that are working hard towards helping their people. We know that there are a lot of outstanding bills that have not been paid and a lot of commitments have been made by county governments outside the budget process of the county assemblies. We also know that since the governors are the ones holding the purse, a lot of populist projects will be done and resources will be wasted. As I said in the beginning, devolution is work in progress and not a finished project. We must support it to the hilt and at the same time work as hard as we can to make our oversight role come true. I support this Motion and hope that we will pass it. I also believe that the institutions of devolution, which are the National Assembly, the Senate, county assemblies and county governments, will find reason to come together and work towards making devolution work. This is because devolution is a dream that will come true and which Kenyans will not allow to be frustrated by people with shortsighted views towards their own personal interests. I support."
}