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{
    "id": 779895,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/779895/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 343,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "March 8, 2018 SENATE DEBATES 45 Sen. Cherargei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to congratulate Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. for this well thought out Bill with a lot of guidance. He is one of my Members in the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights. I must say that there are so many challenges that affect us especially regarding county boundaries. One of the issues has to do with resources and sharing of assets and liabilities. I told Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. who is the Mover in person that we do not have to use the map of 1992. There is a problem between Kisumu and Nandi counties over where Chemelil Sugar Company, which is undergoing privatisation, belongs. When you meet people there, the argument normally is that the map of 1963 shows that that facility was in Nandi County. Even Nyando Escarpment is in Tinderet Sub-County but the problem is that there is that tussle. I agree that there are many issues and I hope that this law will cure that. I hope that Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. will ensure that we go back and look at the Map of 1963. I know that most of the boundaries were created out of colonial convenience. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the second aspect is about the marginalized communities. Out of colonial convenience, you will find communities in three, four or even up to five counties. This has caused a lot of agony and disunity amongst communities like the Tirki. We have the Tiriki in Vihiga County and in my county. Some of these disputes are in courts because marginalized communities have sued their county governments to be recognised. I am aware the Constitution has a provision for the marginalized communities and there are affirmative programmes on how to address such short comings. The County Boundaries Bill (Senate Bill No.6 of 2017) should clearly state how best to accommodate these communities so that their interests are well protected. These challenges are being experienced in counties like Isiolo and Meru. At the moment, we do not have many boundary disputes between county governments. Another challenge is how the toll centres will be managed. I am hopeful that Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. will look into this. For example, when you are travelling to Baringo County, you could get a toll centre at Elgeyo Marakwet County. Barely five or 10 metres you get another one by Baringo County. We can avoid double taxation by having a no man’s land like in some countries. Alternatively, we can agree on how to harmonize taxation such that if you are getting into a boundary from one county to another, you do not have to be subjected to taxation based on the same commodity. I believe those are some of the issues that will solve issues of boundaries and revenue collection between counties. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, another issue is on the boundaries with our neighbouring countries. I know the threshold is 15 percent where somebody can petition the county assembly be it at the ward level or at the sub-county level. However, I request that we relook at that threshold as it is very low and will cause vexatious or unnecessary petitions to our county assemblies. A small community may not have been considered to county appointments and as we know elections in this country are very competitive. You might find in a particular section of a society, some people have not accepted and moved on. They may decide to petition and we will be wasting a lot of time. Therefore, the 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."
}