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{
"id": 1585492,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1585492/?format=api",
"text_counter": 992,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Luanda, DAP-K",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Dick Oyugi",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for the opportunity to also add my voice to this very important piece of legislation. First and foremost, I thank those who proposed the idea of making the county assemblies independent. Since the introduction of devolution approximately 13 years ago, our country has sent significant funds, amounting to trillions, to the counties. Under the current regime, I have noted that the Government has disbursed over Ksh1.2 trillion to counties as devolved funding. This Bill comes at a crucial time, as we have just appropriated Ksh415 billion to these counties. One of the major weaknesses we have observed over the years is that the county assemblies, which are supposed to oversee and monitor these funds on behalf of the common mwananchi, have been limping. This is because they have been dependent on the County Executives for the facilitation required to perform their duties. Therefore, the proposal for a County Public Finance Law is commendable, as it will significantly enhance oversight of all devolved funds, just as in the national Government, where Parliament, the Judiciary and the Executive operate independently with their own budgets. Each arm can fulfil its responsibilities without hindrance due to lack of resources. On the other hand, in the county governments, our Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) have for a long time cried and asked to be empowered enough to oversee their counties. We all agree that huge sums of money have been devolved to the county governments, yet we did not give the MCAs enough teeth to bite. We did not give them enough power to oversee the county governments. In some counties, the county executives have been The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
},
{
"id": 1585493,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1585493/?format=api",
"text_counter": 993,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Luanda, DAP-K",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Dick Oyugi",
"speaker": null,
"content": "micromanaging, sometimes holding the purse and frustrating the legislative work and oversight responsibilities of the assemblies by ensuring they are not adequately facilitated. Thus, this Bill comes at the right time. It will provide the necessary power, muscle, and capability to our assemblies to oversee the county governments effectively. Members of county assemblies have consistently sought autonomy. In Vihiga County, where I come from, our assembly comprises approximately 36 Members who have been advocating for independence and autonomy, enabling them to perform their duties without fear or favour, as they are properly protected. In my opinion, granting them independence is a great gain. I believe and pray that this will go a long way in ensuring that our funds at the county level are properly overseen. One thing I like about this Bill is that the county executives will not be doing this at their whims. They have been given specific deadlines within which these funds must be given to the assemblies, that is, by the 15th of every month."
},
{
"id": 1585494,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1585494/?format=api",
"text_counter": 994,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Farah Maalim",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " The county executives do not control that; it is the Controller of Budget."
},
{
"id": 1585495,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1585495/?format=api",
"text_counter": 995,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Luanda, DAP-K",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Dick Oyugi",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for that"
},
{
"id": 1585496,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1585496/?format=api",
"text_counter": 996,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Farah Maalim",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " According to the Bill, this ensures total autonomy and independence as the money does not go through the county governments. It is in line with exactly how we do it here in the National Assembly."
},
{
"id": 1585497,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1585497/?format=api",
"text_counter": 997,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Luanda, DAP-K",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Dick Oyugi",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Exactly. This is a great deal. All I would request is that given the clause stipulating that if these funds are not spent, we should avoid a scenario where, at the end of the financial year, there are unspent funds due to a lack of flair on the part of the accounting officers. We must ensure that these funds are allocated to the assemblies and utilised, thus preventing rollovers, as Mheshimiwa Daktari alluded to. Therefore, I stand in support of this Bill, asserting that it is a substantial step towards ensuring the success of devolution. Thank you."
},
{
"id": 1585498,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1585498/?format=api",
"text_counter": 998,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Farah Maalim",
"speaker_title": "Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Next is Hon. Naomi Waqo."
},
{
"id": 1585499,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1585499/?format=api",
"text_counter": 999,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Marsabit County, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Naomi Waqo",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Yes, it is Waqo with a “q,” not “k.\" Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
},
{
"id": 1585500,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1585500/?format=api",
"text_counter": 1000,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Farah Maalim",
"speaker_title": "Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " You are right. It is Waqo with a “q.”"
},
{
"id": 1585501,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1585501/?format=api",
"text_counter": 1001,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Marsabit County, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Naomi Waqo",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for this opportunity to add my voice to this Bill. I thank its originators, because they have given us and the entire country something we can be proud of. When we got the Constitution in 2010, it gave us the opportunity to serve this country in a better way. It gave the country the freedom we desired and empowered women, people living with disabilities and other groups. This Bill seeks to empower our county assemblies. It will give the assemblies the financial independence they need. Without finances, nothing can be done. Even at the family level, if you have no money, you will not run your family well. Passing this Bill is the best gift we can give county assemblies as the 13th Parliament. For people aspiring to be CEOs of county governments, there will be a law for accountability, give hope to county assemblies and make MCAs own whatever they do. MCAs will have direct control over the operational budget and the freedom to conduct oversight. Any politician would want to be free in terms of their speeches, politicking, oversight and representation. MCAs lack this particular path. When this Bill is assented to, county assemblies will be empowered fully. Because there is not much bureaucracy and control, county assemblies will have access to and control over money for emergency needs. Some of us come from dry areas, which sometimes flood. When drought comes, we lose animals, or a disease outbreak occurs, and we need emergency funds. For the first time, county assemblies will have control over their budget. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}
]
}