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{
    "id": 800753,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/800753/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 313,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you Madam Temporary Speaker for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Division of Revenue Bill (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No. 14 of 2018). I agree with my brother Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr., that it is time to push for a policy shift in this country. A lot of these things being done by the national Government make it appear as if this House is not fighting for devolution. It is sad that it seems this Parliament does not implement a lot of things that are passed here, for example, the issue of conditional grants. We do not follow it up to see how that money is being utilised. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is sad there are so many delays. We need to expedite and pass this amendment. It is not imperative to pass things which we cannot audit. It is time now Parliament enhanced its oversight role on these conditional grants. We have a lot of money allocated to support our agricultural sector to improve on value addition. It is very good on paper. However, we need to see its impact at the grassroots level. Is it really practical? I encourage the national Government, when thinking about these provisions, to consult county governments. They should not make any move before asking the county governments their opinion. Is what they want to do in the best interest of the people of Kenya? It is very sad to learn that we are leasing equipment yet the way the agreements are drafted it is as if we are buying. When you lease equipment for medical use, it should not worry you whether it breaks down tomorrow or not. The person who has leased it to you should come, pick it and give you another one because we are paying for that service. Madam Temporary Speaker, when we approve these conditional grants and send them to county governments, they are meant for a specific project. For example, we might say we want to use it to enhance support for agricultural services, urban planning or boost our polytechnics. However, if we do not follow through, how will we know it was used for the intended purpose? As we approve these amendments, it is important that this Senate now pushes for that policy change. We can even come up with new legislation that encourages public participation in the use of conditional grants. We are getting a lot of money. I can see in these amendments, there is a lot of money being allocated to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). A whopping Kshs4.5 billion is allocated to NHIF. What are we doing on the ground to sensitize the communities? Is it something which is good on paper only? We need to go out there and ensure everyone is registered with NHIF and access the services? When we talk about the Water Tower Protection and Climate Change Mitigation Adaptation Programme, I am at a loss for words as to why the Mau Forest was not included. It is one of the most important water catchment areas we have in this country. When I see that this programme will only benefit Cherangany Hills and Mount Elgon, I wonder whether Mau Forest is considered as something that holds this country. We know that there are many rivers from Mau Forest that feed into Lake Victoria. We know that the Forest has been encroached by many people who are destroying it. Why can we not include it as part of forest ecosystem and protect it? 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."
}