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{
    "id": 736925,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/736925/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 110,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Aden",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Speaker for giving me an opportunity to contribute to this Bill. From the outset, I support it and join my colleagues in saying that it is unfortunate that this Bill has taken such a long period of time. I agree with my former Chair, who I was privileged to serve in the same Committee once, that, indeed, even under our Constitution, the issue of dealing with this Bill has proved challenging time and again. Unfortunately, this time round, it is even more challenging than we may have seen in the past few years. It is an issue we need to revisit as a nation and relook at our Constitution to see how we can improve the process for the interest of Kenyans. The risk we run is that should this Bill continue to be delayed like we have seen happen, our counties are likely to face cash crises in the very near future. We know very well that this is an election year and Kenya is facing serious drought particularly in the area I come from of Garissa County. These funds are very much needed this time around more than ever before in the various counties of the country. I do not agree with the fear that some outgoing governors might steal this money and run away with it. No! Our Constitution is very clear under Article 226(5) that any Government official whether in or out of office will be held liable for any loss they cause to happen and will be forced, if found guilty, to repay back that money. They will be surcharged that money. If you think you are now leaving office, eat and run away, my friend, you can only run away with problems which will catch up with you in the near future. To the governors, I want to say that these funds need to be handled very carefully. The Kshs291 million is an amount which is an improvement of about Kshs10 million more than we gave to the counties in the last financial year. This improvement is good for Kenyans and I want to urge the governors whose counties are lagging behind that this is very unfortunate. I visited Wajir County and my good friend Ahmed Abdullahi has made real changes to the people of Wajir. I commend him. He is a person and colleague whom I respect very much and I feel very proud that the County Government of Wajir has time and again been seen as one of the best counties in Kenya. For that reason, governors should emulate good practices in terms of good financial management. Now, they have more support with the Kshs4.5 billion shillings for leasing equipment which I think is a good idea. I know I have challenged this before, but I have seen diabetic patients in my county who otherwise travelled all the way from Garissa to Nairobi receiving these services at far more cheaper prices. The equipment leasing might not necessarily have been a bad idea at all, but I agree with the colleagues who asked for how long we shall lease these machines. We cannot afford to continue paying Kshs4.5 billion to lease equipment. Definitely, in the long run, it will be more economically viable for us to purchase those machines and own them rather than continue paying that money to business people. The condition of Level 5 hospitals in many of our counties is still wanting. It is unfortunate because this is the highest level of medical institutions in various parts of the country. I want to urge the governors that the money allocated to them, the Kshs4.6 billion unconditional grant, is an opportunity for them to improve the services offered in hospitals and medical facilities so as to ease the suffering of Kenyans and help them enjoy life more. With regard to the issue of the rehabilitation of village polytechnics which has been granted Kshs2 billion, a large number of our youth are unemployed. This is becoming a The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}