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{
    "id": 748256,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/748256/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 78,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Wakhungu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": "divides revenue between the national Government and the county governments. It divides the revenue vertically. This Bill is coming for the second time as a result of the difference that was there between the National Assembly and the Senate. We know very well that the Senate tried to add about Kshs30 billion. Unfortunately, they did not indicate where the Kshs30 billion was going to come from. This issue had gone up to the Supreme Court for an advisory whether it is indeed necessary that this Division of Revenue Bill should go to the Senate. It is unfortunate it is not provided for in the law. There is some lacuna. As legislators, we need to bring some amendments so that we know the direction to take in the event that the Bill goes to the Senate and to the Mediation Committee and it is defeated. It is high time as Members of Parliament, and we humbly request that if we are going to come back in the 12th Parliament, which we are sure we are going to do with prayers and hard work, we work on the law so that we have a clear direction in the law in case of this failure. The Bill has been moved very well by Rev. Mutava Musyimi. It is, indeed, our desire that more funds must be devolved to the county level. As I clearly mentioned, it is because of inflation that there was a reduction of Kshs80 billion that is going to affect both national Government and county governments. This is meant to reduce prices because the cost of living in this country is unbearable. The Government has tried to resolve the issue of unga, but basic commodities are not just unga. We also have an issue with milk and sugar. It is high time that the Jubilee Government came up with more policies that can ensure that the cost of living is bearable and is within the limits of the common mwananchi. As other colleagues have mentioned, the Division of Revenue Bill has to be passed to allow budgets to be made at the county level. As we speak right now, we have very many projects that are affected at the county level, particularly projects to do with health care. I request our Hon. Members here today that we move with speed to pass this Bill. When it goes to the Senate, we do not have this rivalry. I call upon our Senate colleagues to look at the Bill critically so that we can pass it, and if possible, before we go for the general elections. If we do not pass it, the county governments are going to suffer. There is the issue of leasing of medical equipment. This is a wonderful idea. When you go to many rural areas, you find we have advanced medical equipment that will make work easier as far as disease diagnosis is concerned. Unfortunately, when you go down there, you find that we do not have skilled personnel that can operate these machines so that Kenyans can have quality health care. So, it is my humble request that the county governments focus on recruiting staff that is skilled and can operate that medical equipment. I have visited some health facilities and found out that the equipment is gathering dust. So, it is important that the county governments plus the national Government come together and work together so that they can resolve that issue. The Budget Policy Statement (BPS) gives a clear framework on key priority areas. Once that one is done, we go to the Division of Revenue Bill. That connection has become a problem. This is the time we are calling upon those experts who came up with this Constitution that we need some amendments because the loopholes that are there are making this country suffer so much, particularly at such a time when we are going towards elections and everybody is focusing on the elections. Sometime back, we had a discussion in this House pertaining to the running of the county governments, and particularly at such a time when we are approaching the elections. It is important to know from the Controller of Budget (COB) how the county governments are spending money, especially at this time when some governors have lost nominations in the 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."
}