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{
    "id": 704668,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/704668/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 254,
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    "content": "Members have also raised questions as to whether we need a Bill or make amendments to the Statistics Act. My reasoning is that it would be important to harmonize how all our counties will be collecting statistics. For example, Samburu, Makueni and Nandi counties should have a uniform way of collecting statistics. To ensure uniformity in how our counties will keep records on the devolved functions, it is important that we, as the Senate, agree on a certain way of collecting this information. It is important to have a framework of how we will collect statistics and disseminate information in our counties. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is also important to have a separate office from the executive, so that we give sensitive matters autonomy to avoid manipulation and have factual information. The reason many Kenyans passed the Constitution in 2010 and embraced devolution was to ensure that resources trickle down to the public. Counties are divided into wards and sub-counties so as to ensure that the funds and the services are accessible to all. Probably, resources go down to the counties, but they do not reach some sub- counties and wards. Through this Bill, those who will be entrusted with that responsibility will show us how the resources have been utilised in the various sub- counties, wards and how members of the public are accessing services at the county level. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there is also the issue of the independence of the office of the statistician to ensure that there is no manipulation from the executive. When we were doing public participation, there was concern from the national Government on the existence of a Ministry which is already responsible for planning and development at the national level. We also have the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) which is supposed to do this. I think there was wisdom in those who put it under Schedule 4(2) and say it becomes a county function. We need to keep eyes on what is happening in our counties especially on the functions that have been devolved. We are not saying that we taken away the work of KNBS but we need to know and get information on the matters that have already been devolved and this office will be responsible for doing the same. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is also the same structure we have taken that we already have the Ministry of Devolution and Planning which is there in the national Government but we still have KNBS which goes ahead to deal with issues on statistics. One of the things that we need is for this information to get to the people so that members of the public can access it. We know that as much as we have KNBS in the form that we have embraced devolution, in their mandate, it is not expressed how they should be dealing with county matters. That is what this Bill will be looking at and the whole factor of access to information. It is important that as we devolve functions and resources, information should be devolved to the public so that it does not end at the national level. Sometimes accessing information at the national level continues to be a challenge. One of the things that this Bill will look at is ensuring information is readily accessible. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, having taken into consideration some of the concerns that the national Government has in matters statistics and how we both share it, the Bill has taken that into consideration to ensure that the County Statistics Office and 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"
}