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{
"id": 1566722,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566722/?format=api",
"text_counter": 139,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Mungatana, MGH",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The problem with this Cash Disbursement Schedule is that when it comes to Exchequer releases to our counties, the National Treasury tends to lump the responsibility of county disbursements together with all other national responsibilities. Consequently, the timely disbursement of funds to counties is relegated to the back burner. This implies that they will be favoring the national Government while disadvantaging county governments. This is a challenge I would like to present to the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and Budget at the Senate. The time has come for us to sincerely examine how we can utilize Article 202, which states that revenues are raised nationally and shared equitably between the national and county governments. We must develop legislation within this framework to create a department within the National Treasury dedicated to county governments. If monies are being raised by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), they should be equitably divided, so that there are two sets of consolidated accounts. One set for the national Government and another for the county governments. This way, when there are delays in Exchequer releases, it will be clear that the treasury for county governments is not releasing the funds in good time. If this is not done, then, as colleagues have stated in the past or even in this debate, it will become a mere ritual, where we pass a schedule that is then disregarded. This is because the national Government operates as if the National Treasury exists only to service the national Government and not the county governments. I believe this is one area that we need to examine and determine whether, going forward, we could have a clear constitutional amendment that creates a treasury dedicated only to county governments. This would ensure that there is a treasury to serve county governments and another to serve the national Government. If this is done in a technically sound and effective manner, then we would no longer need to debate schedules, as funds would be disbursed on time and within the approved timelines. Once the Senate has given its approval, the funds would then be processed from the treasury dedicated to serving county governments. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I support this Motion and pray that the Constitution will be upheld in this manner. I thank you."
},
{
"id": 1566723,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566723/?format=api",
"text_counter": 140,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Kingi",
"speaker_title": "The Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Sen. Thang’wa Karungo."
},
{
"id": 1566724,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566724/?format=api",
"text_counter": 141,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Thang’wa",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you very much for the opportunity to support this Cash Disbursement Schedule for the counties. I have noted and Sen. Wambua has also mentioned, the issue of the disbursement of unconditional additional allocations from court fines. According to the Schedule, Kshs116 million is going to only 10 counties. These court fines, in my understanding, are fines imposed on individuals from these counties, likely for breaking county laws within specific jurisdictions. Kiambu County is receiving about Kshs10 million from these fines, while Nairobi, which is getting the largest share, is receiving Kshs70,740,842."
},
{
"id": 1566725,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566725/?format=api",
"text_counter": 142,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "[The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) left the Chair]"
},
{
"id": 1566726,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566726/?format=api",
"text_counter": 143,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "[The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei) in the Chair]"
},
{
"id": 1566727,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566727/?format=api",
"text_counter": 144,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Thang’wa",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1566728,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566728/?format=api",
"text_counter": 145,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Thang’wa",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, while this is considered an allocation, I believe the Senate should examine this issue further to understand why certain counties are accumulating these large sums while others, such as Kakamega County, despite being comparable to Kiambu County in terms of its 12 constituencies, 60 wards, and a similar budget, are receiving nothing. This suggests that, perhaps, no fines were imposed in Kakamega. Therefore, I propose that we take this as a case study to better understand the reasoning behind these allocations. As we pass this allocation, we must also request the Controller of Budgets (CoB) and the Executive to ensure the timely release of these funds. This morning, we were sitting in the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, where we met Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) of Machakos County and their Speaker. We were informed that the MCAs of Machakos and their staff have not been paid for the last three months. I believe this issue is not unique to Machakos County, as several other counties are also experiencing delays in receiving their funds. We must, therefore, urge the Executive to ensure these funds are disbursed on time, so that money is allocated where it is due. The reason the trust and confidence in this Government may not be in tandem with public expectations is that counties do not have money. The funds have not been disbursed yet, we see the Government initiating programmes that have not been budgeted for under the guise of economic forums. They go to every county giving handouts to individuals. Somebody might ask why these programmes that are not budgeted for are happening. There are not within any law and no Motion was passed, yet the monies that the Senate has allocated and approved is not being disbursed to the counties. This is an issue we need to look into, even if we were to summon whoever is not disbursing the monies to the counties, so that they explain. It should not be normal for the Senate to pass these kinds of laws, the allocations and the disbursement schedules, but the Executive is not doing its part and we just keep quiet and look at it that way. I urge the Executive to make sure that they disburse the monies to the county governments. If they do not have the money or they have not collected enough, why is it that only the counties are suffering? The offices of the President and the Deputy President have all the money to an extent that they are now dishing it out to anyone who asks for it. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I support this because it is an issue we need to look into. I thank you."
},
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"id": 1566729,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566729/?format=api",
"text_counter": 146,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wakili Sigei",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Next is Sen. Olekina."
},
{
"id": 1566730,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566730/?format=api",
"text_counter": 147,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 407,
"legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
"slug": "ledama-olekina"
},
"content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am not ready."
},
{
"id": 1566731,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1566731/?format=api",
"text_counter": 148,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wakili Sigei",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " If Sen. Olekina is not ready to contribute, let us have Sen. Omogeni."
}
]
}