Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 903349,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/903349/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 60,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Murkomen",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 440,
        "legal_name": "Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen",
        "slug": "kipchumba-murkomen"
    },
    "content": "We know that there is an assault on the offices of the county assembly, particularly by the county executive to deny them resources, or out rightly ignore decisions that are made by county assemblies, including, those that are related to the budget. At this budgeting period, many county assemblies have already reported many efforts to undermine the county assemblies‟ finance committees and the county assembly as a whole. I assure the MCAs that the Senate will stand with you. We have stood with you, not just by our words, but also by passing laws in this House that ensures that your finances are safeguarded. We are in the process of amending the law to ensure that the independence of management of the county fund is safeguarded; just the same way we ensure that money has been put aside from the county executive resources. Many county executives think that devolution and functioning in the counties can only be done by one arm of county government. The county assemblies play a critical role in ensuring that devolution works. Therefore, the survival and functioning of county assemblies depends on a well-trained and equipped county staff. When we deny county assemblies resources, it is akin to saying that the county staff that are in the Public Gallery should not be trained. It is also like saying that the county assemblies should not have enough resources to hire qualified and competent trained staff that can assist the county assemblies to do their work. It must go on record and the citizens of this Republic must know that the Senate is strong. We, as Senators, are stronger. We debate well and pass better legislation because we have strong staff who are capable in assisting the Senators in drafting the legislations, preparing the notes and background for us to do our work. In the same manner, we must continue resourcing the county assemblies to have critical staff who are independent and capable of advising. In fact, as we do the budget, you will be shocked that most of the county assemblies do not have qualified economic analysts who can challenge the figures and facts that come from the county executive. That is where we should strive to reach. We allocate resources to the county assemblies to an extent that they will have budget departments. We want them to have economic analysts who will assist the MCAs to do their job. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I welcome our students to the Senate. Not so long ago, I used to sit there. I am very sure that if they work so hard, they will have the opportunity to come and speak as I am or be like the Speaker. The choice is theirs. You will get an inspiration from this House. One day, I watched Sen. Orengo in Parliament. Now, I am lucky to be here with him. Some of you will have the opportunity to come and sit here with me in a few years to come. Take your opportunity seriously, work hard and put more effort in ensuring that you gain knowledge and experience."
}