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{
    "id": 868387,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/868387/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 63,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I am aware that the draft Budget Policy Statement (BPS) of this year wants us to reduce the allocation to counties by Kshs9 billion. If there is time we have to stand up as a Senate, and not as politicians from different political parties, it is now. The minute we begin the trend of reducing the money that goes to counties, that will continue and it will be the claw back on devolution. I am afraid – forget about doing the audits – we will be the undertakers of the devolution the minute we agree that simply because the country is facing whatever challenges it is facing, the first victim should be counties. Although governors have misbehaved, and I agree with Sen. Murkomen, there are two things I propose that we should do this year. First, the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Budget can propose that although we agree with the work that Sen. M. Kajwang' is doing, which is very good, it comes at the tail end. Can we find a method of dealing with the reports of the Controller of Budget and budget implementation so that if a certain governor in Samburu or Isiolo misbehaves in the first or second quarter, we apply Article 225 together with Articles 93, 94, 95 and 96 to stop the release of funds? We cannot continue digging holes in counties where we are supposed to oversight. Let me say this about oversight. I know that Sen. Murkomen, who is the Senate Majority Leader and a few Members of this House, did a good job in trying to get Senate funding but that will be our downfall. It will be our downfall if we behave like the governors. Unless this Senate comes up with a proper method of how we are going to audit these funds, we are going to become the laughing stock yet we have been given very little money. So, Mr. Speaker, Sir, call us quickly so that we can find a good method of using that Fund properly. When we ask for more funds, then we must show by action through counties that we have utilised that function well. I do not know what the leadership will resolve regarding the Implementation Committee. However, it pained me when I saw the poor people of Solai being teargased because they had a meeting with Mr. George Kegoro but we passed resolutions for them"
}