{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=155207","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=155205","results":[{"id":1570252,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570252/?format=json","text_counter":143,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have just pressed my button now, but I have no problem being the first one. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this exercise that we are doing is only done once in five years. That means this formula will be with us for five years and will be the formula that will be used for division of revenue. That is why we really need to create an environment for consensus and not contestation between the so-called small counties and the big counties. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am a Senator of one of the so-called small counties; that is, the counties that receive less amount of money from the sharable revenue. I want to refer the Members of this House to the Constitution. Article 203 of the Constitution provides the basis for how the sharing will be done; basically, the principles to be complied with when deciding on the sharing formula. I want to refer Members to two very important principles. The principle under Article 203(1)(g), which is on economic disparities within and among counties and the need to remedy them. I also refer you to Article 203(1)(h) on the need for affirmative action in respect of disadvantaged areas and groups. Mr. Speaker, Sir, these are two very critical constitutional principles which this House should not ignore and which the previous three formulas have ignored, and I will demonstrate that shortly. We cannot continue disadvantaging some counties at the expense of others. Devolution was meant to ensure equitable and balanced development across the country. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale has just given an example between Kakamega and Vihiga counties, which are neighbours. It is so sad that a county like Vihiga County cannot do any meaningful development and yet, their immediate neighbour which is Kakamega County, where my friend and my elder brother comes from, is doing major projects. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, you know very well that Vihiga County is a mere kilometre of road away from Kakamega County, which has constructed a road up to Eregi on the boundary. From Eregi to the Chavakali Junction is about a kilometre. Vihiga County has not been able to complete the road because of a low budget. The other day, we were shown on television the Kidundu Stadium, which looks so bad, yet when you go to Kakamega County, they have an international stadium. It is high time we looked at the provision of the Constitution, particularly Article 203(1) on the issue of economic disparity among the counties and the need to uplift the disadvantaged counties and groups. If we do not do this, devolution will mean nothing for some counties. The small counties are basically employment bureaus. They employ people, but they cannot do any development. You know very well that the staff establishment in all these counties is the same, but the money that remains for development is very little."},{"id":1570253,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570253/?format=json","text_counter":144,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","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":1570254,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570254/?format=json","text_counter":145,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Let me now come to the two formulas. I want to address the CRA formula and the committee formula. It is unfair for us to sit in this House and our Committee on Finance and Budget, which is supposed to protect our interests, is giving us less money than what CRA is giving us. I want to demonstrate that. The CRA tried to look at these two parameters: The parameter of economic disparity and the parameter of affirmative action. They tried to help the small counties. I know some of the big counties lost, but we would have gotten a clear balance, so that we are not disenfranchised by our committee. If you look at the report by the Committee, they have conveniently left out the simulation based on the CRA formula. If you look at the simulation for CRA, Elgeyo- Marakwet County was getting Kshs392 million on top of what they are getting. The Committee is giving them Kshs241 million. So, they are losing over Kshs150 million. Embu County is losing on the CRA formula. The Committee gave them Kshs256 million, and they are getting Kshs85 million, but that is just one county. The most serious effect is on Sen. Dullo's county of Isiolo. The Committee is giving Isiolo Kshs257 million and CRA is giving Isiolo Kshs137 million. The Committee gave Lamu Kshs177 million---"},{"id":1570255,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570255/?format=json","text_counter":146,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Kingi","speaker_title":"The Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Sen. Osotsi, there is a point of information. Do you desire to be given the information by Sen. Ali Roba?"},{"id":1570256,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570256/?format=json","text_counter":147,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Mr. Speaker, Sir, yes, he is the Chairperson of the Committee. He can give me information, but I also have very crucial information."},{"id":1570257,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570257/?format=json","text_counter":148,"type":"scene","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(Laughter)"},{"id":1570258,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570258/?format=json","text_counter":149,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Kingi","speaker_title":"The Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Proceed, Sen. Ali Roba."},{"id":1570259,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570259/?format=json","text_counter":150,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Ali Roba","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to guide Sen. Osotsi that the numbers he is making reference to, he has to share with the House. The CRA based the allocation on Kshs417 billion as shareable revenue. The numbers he is making reference to are at Kshs405 billion. So, he needs to clarify so that it is very clear in terms of what shareable revenue he is basing the numbers he is discussing on."},{"id":1570260,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570260/?format=json","text_counter":151,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Mr. Speaker, Sir, the numbers are based on Kshs405 billion. Remember, I started by saying the Committee should have done us a favour by also publishing the simulation based on the CRA formula, which they did not do. We have gone ahead to get the simulation ourselves. Let me proceed. Lamu County is gaining Kshs568 million and the Committee is giving them Kshs177 million. CRA is giving Laikipia County Khsh478 million and the committee is giving them Kshs263 million. Nyamira County is getting Kshs356 million and the committee is giving them Kshs260 million. Taita-Taveta County is getting Kshs481 million on CRA, the committee is giving them Kshs246 million. Tharaka-Nithi County is getting Kshs483 million, the committee is giving them Kshs219 million. Vihiga, my county, CRA is giving Kshs609 million, and the committee is giving us Kshs263 million."},{"id":1570261,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1570261/?format=json","text_counter":152,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","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."}]}