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{
    "id": 779873,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/779873/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 321,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Eng.) Mahamud",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 373,
        "legal_name": "Mohammed Maalim Mahamud",
        "slug": "mohammed-mahamud"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, a question was raised on the Floor of this House and we tried to respond to it. In fact, the answers we have here are the only ones. It is not fair to digress into things which are not there, but let me answer what the questioner asked. Our role is clearly stated in Article 96 of the Constitution and there is no doubt about that. Sen. Khaniri said that there is no money for development. There is no discretion when it comes to disbursing money to the counties for recurrent expenditure and development. Looking at what went to Vihiga County, there is no column for money for development and recurrent expenditure. It is difficult at this stage for us to separate money for development and recurrent expenditure. The disparity has been talked about in the points of order. If you look at the Schedule, you will see that it cuts across the board. Low disbursements to counties cuts across the board in the whole nation. That is a fact and it is what we should be concerned about as the Senate. It is unfortunate to talk about favour. Those are just sideshows. This cuts across all counties including those perceived to be the NASA or Jubilee strongholds. The CS also said that because of low collections, there is discretion where people have got more than Kshs300 million in the account. We are not debating the mandate of the Treasury here. That part of the question was not there. We should leave the question that was raised by my colleague Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. for another day. They have quoted Article 201 of the Constitution and I agree with Sen. M. Kajwang' that Article 219 is clear. ( An hon. Senator spoke off record) Yes; it says that. On the issue of revenue shortfalls, they said that there are shortfalls which they know more than I do. In fact, the CS said that they cannot disburse what they do not have. He did not say he was broke but he said that he has no money. My friend Sen. Khaniri also said something but he should not make political statements here. We do not know who supported the Constitution and who did not. Majority of us were not in Parliament at that time. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we have done our best to bring the answer. We are concerned and we will engage the Treasury further to see how we can have money for our counties because it is our job to support our counties and we will do that. We will not support anything that will strangle our parties. We should not ask about issues that I cannot answer at this time as the Chairman. I thank you."
}