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{
"id": 861414,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/861414/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherargei",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13217,
"legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
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"content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, on the issue of legal compliance with all county revenue collection requirements, I think they are doing it but we do not want to be over zealous. Sometimes the fight that comes with paying cess, royalties and landlords, for instance in Nandi, we have a problem where cess has not been paid for some time. However, these matters should be taken to the courts of law. I think they have been doing their work. Last week when we were in Mombasa for the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) meeting, some of the concerns the private sector raised, especially on the collection of cess, royalties and land rates, is that when you are coming from Baringo County, you get revenue collection points as you get into Elgeyo-Marakwet County, around five kilometres from the border, you get another one. When you are getting into Uasin Gishu County from Elgeyo-Marakwet, you get another one. So, there is concern and I know there is a law that governs these regulations. However, we should relook how we do this so that we do not appear as if we are overtaxing or not creating a good business environment for our people. I think they are doing it at the moment. On the issue of protecting public property, I want to thank the Mover of this Bill because this is very important. During the transition period, when you look at Transitional Authority (TA) which was led by Mr. Wamwangi, there were a lot of unaccounted for assets and liabilities. This is because when counties took over, there was no unit, as Sen. Khaniri is proposing, to guard and protect these assets that belong to the counties. In fact, in one instance, one of our tractors in Nandi County disappeared and we got it in the middle of a tea farm with all spare parts taken. No one could account for the tractors, collection lorries or anything that belonged to the County Government. Therefore, I agree that even when there is change, I know we are in the second generation of governors, some people can become mischievous and decide to cart away property that belongs to the public. However, when we have a synchronized system that gets single command and whose agenda is to protect, we can hold somebody accountable. Madam Temporary Speaker, Sir, that is why in Sen. Wamatangi’s Bill on assumption of office by the governor, we are saying that when you are leaving, you declare everything that you have left in the office. When such units come into place, it will assist that part of the law also, so that if something disappears, we can hold some people accountable. This is such that the governor who is bitter after losing an election - I know losing an election is not an easy thing, I can see my colleagues are looking at me as if I have not lost an election - I have lost twice for the record of this House. So, I know how painful it is to lose an election. Sometimes, somebody might feel that he or she wants to destroy everything. Therefore, I agree with this Bill, that we need to protect our issues. Let me rush because most of my colleagues want to contribute. Madam Temporary Speaker, I agree on the protection of the property, that we need a unit such that if, for instance, in my neighboring County of Uasin Gishu, a tyre that belongs to graders that are being used disappears, it is good if they can go and ask somebody who is in charge what happened in guarding of the property. It will be in the interest of Kenyans to ensure that. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}