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{
    "id": 713353,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/713353/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 335,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Regarding the second query on the projects, I agree that the process of selection of projects is still shrouded in controversy. The projects that have been listed here do not make sense in some of the counties.Some of them are already ongoing and funded by the national Government. In essence, the National Treasury is circumventing the provision of additional Kshs20 billion by simply flagging the projects in the areas where the national Government is doing the normal course of their work as projects under the Equalization Fund. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, that is why they have been forced to call a public meeting in all of the 14 counties and all the leaders, including the Senators, governors, Members of the National Assembly and the Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), have been invited to discuss whether or not any of the projects listed here are acceptable. If they are not acceptable, they can do away with them and propose new ones. For example, in my county, all the three projects are not acceptable. They want to give Kshs700 million to Kenya Power, which does not make sense. They also want to spend Kshs230 million on a road that the President and the Deputy President launched, which is completely unacceptable. We will have the opportunity to do away with some of the projects. Lastly, I know that we are not the only ones who are not satisfied with this. The Council of Governors (CoGs) and the CRA have gone to court and the Senate has also been enjoined in this matter. These things are still before the court because of the regulations and the way the entire Fund is being managed. Six years after the Constitution was promulgated, not a shilling has been spent. Clearly, there have been concerns and I agree that the Government has not been keen in getting this Fund on the ground. We will be cautious to ensure that the projects that will be funded will be approved by the people through elaborate public participation."
}