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{
    "id": 867304,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/867304/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 190,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kitui South, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Racheal Nyamai",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13374,
        "legal_name": "Richard Ken Chonga Kiti",
        "slug": "richard-ken-chonga-kiti"
    },
    "content": "There are many discussions about maize. That National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPD) is not doing its job very well. Who is talking about the ndengu in Kitui? I want to ask the Budget and Appropriations Committee as they discuss other things to kindly speak on this matter. This is a debate that needs to be pulled up. I know that MPs move from various Government Departments with letters stating what we need. I would like to give an example of Kitui, Machakos and Makueni and the fact that these counties are semi-arid. However, when you look at the budgetary allocation for water in these counties, it is still minimal. I looked at the water budget and saw they were focusing on Umma Dam in Kitui. The fact is that there are 40 wards in Kitui. My constituency of Kitui South has six wards with massive land coverage with over 200 primary schools. I do not think there is an MP in this House who has over 200 primary schools, 70 secondary schools and a very high population. There is no hope of this constituency being divided into two. Also, looking at the sharing formula for our constituencies, we are getting an equal share in all constituencies. Whether you have two, three or eight wards like me, with more than 200 primary schools and 70 secondary schools, we get equal share of money. Therefore, I think it is important for the National Treasury, when sharing funds especially, grants to also consult with ministries. There is disconnect between the National Treasury, Government Ministries and Departments. They need to look at the issues the MPs raise and see which ones can be handled through these grants and loans. I would like to appreciate that for once Kitui County has a loan of Kshs18 billion for Kitui-Kibwezi Road which has touched the lives of people in many counties. Hon. Dr. Makali has left but he brought a very important matter about monitoring and evaluation. There is no way we can monitor and evaluate without starting with a proper framework linked to the funds given. I appreciate that this time round monitoring and evaluation has been taken seriously in all the projects. However, it is extremely important to get a framework with very good outputs and deliverables which need to be followed. I would also like to look at the issue of misconduct. We know a lot of money is going to our counties. I will boldly say that many counties are not giving back what they are receiving from the national Government, when you look at the funds they are receiving and the output. Therefore, it is extremely important for the Senate to know that we are relying on them and our MCAs. They need to know the role they have been given is not to be nice to the governors. They are there to ensure that the funds received from the national Government through grants and loans trickle down to their wards. Therefore, every MCA must be responsible. Members must respond to questions raised by the common mwananchi who sent them to the National Assembly, Senate and county assemblies. They must be answerable because funds are trickling down to the counties. But the question is: Are the services also trickling down to the common mwananchi, who is supposed to receive these donations and funds from the national Government? The sharing formula looks very nice at a glance and also the statements given look very good. However, when you go deeper into how much money is going to every county, there are counties which are highly favoured. You find they are getting a very good share of the national cake and when it comes to grants, they also get a higher share. Also, the loans which the whole country is paying, they also get higher amounts. I would like to ask the Budget and Appropriations Committee to also look at this. The 14 counties which have been identified as The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}