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{
    "id": 722206,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/722206/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 189,
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    "content": "secured for the Senate to carry out oversight, in order to allow the county governments get an extra over Kshs7 billion that we were negotiating for. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, when we made the resolution to increase the resources going to counties in that particular year, we told the governors that we had lost Kshs1 billion for oversight, but gained over Kshs3.7 billion for Level 4 hospitals. We then urged them that since we had lost Kshs1 billion for oversight, to use the resources given to them in an accountable and transparent manner. However, it is very sad that progressively, massive corruption in the counties has hit the roof. We have had situations where our county governments and governors have had discussions insinuating that the role of the Senate with regard to safeguarding the interest of the counties and sending resources to counties is an obvious function. Some governors say that the monies would still flow whether or not certain Senators were in the Senate. The reason we are seated here today debating the Division of Revenue Bill is because it is important. Counties cannot have the resources they require if this House does not pass this Bill. I urge leaders in the counties to appreciate the role of each institution in ensuring that all of us contribute, in our own small or big way, in ensuring that devolution works. I will narrow myself to one issue. We have the Fourth Schedule of our Constitution. It clearly demarcates the roles of the various levels of government. It is very sad to note that the Constitution, under the Fourth Schedule, has allocated 14 functions to counties and yet, the county governments are expending the little resources sent to them to undertake national Government functions, when they have not concluded undertaking their own functions. We have seen county governments expend their resources in building universities, allocating resources to national roads and yet, small feeder roads and agriculture have not been adequately financed. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in Nandi County, where we engage in dairy farming, our farmers have not received adequate artificial insemination (AI) services, yet our county government expends resources on security matters. Whereas security and education are important, it is important for our county governments to expend these resources to carry out the devolved functions. We have not seen the national Government pumping its resources into devolved functions. You will find a situation where one function is overfunded by both levels of Government, yet an exclusive function of the county governments is not being funded. As we move towards the elections, we are seeing many county governments employing many staff at the tail-end of the term. Why does it become necessary now, a few months to the elections, for a county government to employ 600 members of staff in the name of village administrators and community organizers? They are spending a lot of resources in creating structures. These people being employed are the same ones who will be used as agents and to cause chaos and rig elections, if such an opportunity avails itself. The Governors and county governments should put in place structures for posterity and not just because they want to win an election. I plead with our residents in various counties that whereas the responsibility of oversight is given to specific institutions in the Senate and the county assemblies, they have a responsibility of oversight. They should never be hoodwinked by governors who have been hoarding resources, unable to implement per financial year, only to emerge in 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"
}