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{
    "id": 730216,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/730216/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 212,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Lesan",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 506,
        "legal_name": "Wilfred Rottich Lesan",
        "slug": "wilfred-rottich-lesan"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, first, I commend the President for turning up at the National Assembly Chamber for his constitutional duty and giving an address on the State of the Nation. The President raised a number of issues. Given the time allocated and his wisdom, he addressed several issues. Definitely, it is not exhaustive but he touched on many issues during his tenure in office. First, he mentioned about the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). It is important that he commented on this. The whole country is focused on the forthcoming elections and ensuring that the country remains safe and secure after 8th August, 2017. He assured the country that the IEBC will deliver a credible election to ensure that the country remains peaceful. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is important that every party or individual supports the IEBC. The Judiciary should carry out its functions in a manner that will allow this independent commission to follow due process and deliver credible elections. The President requested every party to support the IEBC. We will face a monumental task. It has significant influence in the country. In addition, the President said he was proud about what we have done regarding devolution. I am sure this House joins the President in saying we are proud for having delivered the promise of devolving services and setting up devolved units as premised in our Constitution. There are only a few challenges in devolution. The duration was short; it was only three years that all the functions and assets would be devolved to the county governments. It is unfortunate that four or five years down the line, we are yet to deliver some assets and liabilities of various counties. Some of these assets are important in the success and running of the counties. Therefore, it is important that these assets and liabilities are dealt with and the matter concluded so that counties can carry out their functions. There has been a persistent complaint. The President also mentioned that the transfer of funds to the counties is a challenge. Of course, we all know that this is real. Counties are complaining that they are getting their share of the monies but, unfortunately, they do not get it on time. The challenge is that availability of funds is dependent on how much the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collects from the population. We urge the KRA to use an efficient system and widen the tax base without necessarily increasing taxation so that we can have sufficient funds at every quarter to be delivered to the counties. That way, we will support our counties to be successful. That is the desire of the President and the Senate. Madam Temporary Speaker, we also faced the problem of terrorism. The President could not complete his speech without mentioning it. This country has made enormous sacrifices by sending its young men and equipment to Somalia to forestall some of those attacks that would have been subjected to citizens of this country. We have succeeded in Somalia. We have supported formation of a Government in Somalia. This week, the President of the independent Republic of Somalia visited this country. This is evidence that the Government of Kenya’s support has yielded results. It is important that 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"
}