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{
    "id": 943029,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/943029/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 179,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "There is also the issue of own-source revenue. When the Mover comes to reply, he should perhaps guide this House on why we have never seen it fit to have a standard policy direction on this issue seven years down the line after devolution started. We should recommend that we have a standard way of conducting the exercise electronically across all the counties or propose the mechanisms and standards. As it has been mentioned, some counties use crafty electronic means where governors team up with their friends to set up the system such that when some funds go directly to the County Revenue Funds (CRFs), others go to their accounts. As a House, this is a responsibility we have abdicated. Time has come for us to ensure we have a policy proposal or make a law on the standard application practice that should be used by all the 47 counties of this Republic when it comes to raising own-source revenue. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am aware that there is a Bill which unfortunately officers of the National Treasury, in their usual disregard of this House, took it to the National Assembly instead of bringing it to the Senate. That Bill has been in the National Assembly for more than one year. They do not feel the pinch. Whether the National Assembly appreciates the challenges in our county governments or not, if that Bill had been brought to this House, we would have dispensed of it and it would have become a law. There is also the business where multinationals negotiate with county officials. Corrupt county officials in counties like Kiambu, Kericho and Bomet do not want their specific counties to gain. They negotiate with multinationals and ensure that they do not update the land value rolls. You will find that for 20 years, multinationals have been paying land rates for more than Kshs5 million or Kshs10 million an acre but nobody is concerned. I propose to the Chairman of the Committee that as he comes to reply, it will be good to for him guide this House on the persistent and cross-cutting issues in all the 47 counties. In addition, he should tell us their proposal as a Committee, so that the various departmental committees of this House propose via legislation how to address those challenges. That will be a proper and more efficient way of performing our oversight role. With those many remarks, I beg to support."
}