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{
    "id": 938065,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/938065/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 213,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kiminini, FORD – K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Chris Wamalwa",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": "The challenge was that you can go to a specific constituency and you find that a specific ward has been defined as a hardship or marginalised area. So, it does not guarantee that a whole constituency is categorised as a hardship or marginalised area. That is why they said that we should go up to the ward level. What I am happy about is that it has proposed that the funds go through the wards so that we have a local development committee. When we get to the Committee of the whole House, I will move an amendment so that we call it the “Ward Development Committee” instead of calling it the “Local Development Committee”. That is because the area of jurisdiction is a ward. It is good that the local committee we will come up with is called ward committee. The issue that we may debate at a later stage is whether this Bill concerns county governments. That is very critical. I have highlighted Article 204, particularly Sub-Article 3(b). It has clearly said that these funds can be sent to the counties directly or indirectly. The word “counties” is mentioned. The Memorandum of Objects and Reasons of this Bill states that this Bill does not concern county governments. How? It is important. I am very convinced that county governments play a critical role. As such, in the spirit of brotherhood with the two Houses, this Bill should go to the Senate for them to also make a determination. As we move on the Equalisation Fund, the Public Audit Act requires the Auditor-General to audit all public monies. For the last eight years, I have not seen any report from the Auditor- General that has audited the Equalization Fund. The National Assembly has been appropriating monies to the Equalization Fund in every financial year. Where this money has been going, we do not know. Article 206 of the Constitution says that any public officer who misuses public funds, whether serving or retired must be surcharged. Whoever has been using monies from the Equalization Fund will not run away. There comes a time when he will be held accountable for Kenyans to know where their money has been going. It is clear in the Constitution that we are talking of 1.5 per cent. It is 1.5 per cent of the recently audited revenue. As we go for 2.5 per cent of NG-CDF, the Equalisation Fund goes for 0.5 per cent. Sorry. When you go further…."
}