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{
    "id": 722196,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/722196/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 179,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "“(1) The following criteria shall be taken into account in determining the equitable shares provided for under Article 202 and in all national legislation concerning county governments enacted in terms of this chapter- (d) The need to ensure that county governments are able to perform the function allocated to them.” Those functions allocated in Schedule 4.” Mr. Speaker Sir, one of the functions allocated to counties is agriculture. It is very clear that agriculture is a function of county government. The only function of the national Government is agricultural policy in Article 29 of the Fourth Schedule With regard to agriculture, the Fourth Schedule, Part 2, of the Constitution is very clear. In fact, agriculture is the first function of County Governments. It says:- “The functions and powers of the county are- 1. Agriculture, including- (a) crop and animal husbandry; (b) livestock sale yards; (c) county abattoirs; (d) plant and animal disease control; and (e) fisheries” If you look at the budget of this nation since devolution, how much resources have been given to counties to perform this very important function? You will be surprised. I want to remind this House because we are a House of records. The Sessional Committee, Committee on Devolved Government, chaired by my very able friend Sen. (Prof.) Lesan, the Senator for Bomet County, tabled in this House a very important report on the 18th October, 2016. The report is entitled: “A Report on the Appeals for Transfer of Functions by Various County Governments.” If you read that report carefully, you will find that county after county appealed to this Senate that the agricultural function should be properly transferred to them and that the function should be followed by resources as stipulated in Article 203 (d) of our Constitution. I would like to remind the House, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Embu, Kiambu, Lamu, Migori, Nyamira, Murang’a, Tharaka-Nithi and Siaya counties made that appeal. Even those not listed here must have made that appeal. This is a good sample that Sen. (Prof.) Lesan put here. Sen. (Prof.) Lesan, these are just samples that you used. It is a good sample showing that many counties were complaining about agriculture. Agriculture is where the rubber hits the ground in terms of development in this country. We are a subsistence economy, struggling to be a middle income country in the year 2030. We cannot do so without a major revolution in agriculture. I remind you of the green revolution in India which turned India around. I might also say that Malawi, under President Mutharika, at one point exported maize to Kenya because of the policy of that late President which was unfortunately not followed by his successors. There are many other examples. When I look at the allocation to agriculture in this budget after four years of devolution, I weep for this nation. Farmers have been crying about the late supply of fertilisers. Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo was speaking in this House the other day, asking about fertilizers. Many other Senators have asked for the same. 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"
}