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{
    "id": 1026473,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1026473/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 189,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Opiyo Wandayi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2960,
        "legal_name": "James Opiyo Wandayi",
        "slug": "james-opiyo-wandayi"
    },
    "content": "(Ugunja), ODM): On a point of order, Hon. Speaker. I rise on Standing Order No.205. First, I wish to begin by acknowledging the fact that the country and indeed the entire world is facing an unprecedented situation occasioned by the raging COVID -19 pandemic. Institutions without exception have had to change their way of operations in response to this calamity. The National Assembly has not been left out and has accordingly put in place measures to deal with the situation. In your communication to the House on 15th July 2020 on the engagement between the Executive and the National Assembly, you went into details in terms of highlighting the dangers that the country is facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, in the said Communication, you emphasised the need for strict adherence to the public health protocols that require minimal physical contact and as such, you directed that committees of the House adopt full virtual meetings beginning today, 28th July 2020. There is no doubt whatsoever that those are very noble initiatives because we all have a responsibility to ensure that we conduct ourselves in a manner that does not endanger our neighbours, families and ourselves in terms of the transmission of this disease. Hon. Speaker, it is worth noting that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which I am privileged to chair in the 12th Parliament, has historically been the foremost oversight committee in the legislature the world over. Our own National Assembly exercises oversight over national revenue and its expenditure pursuant to Article 95(4)(c) of the Constitution. That oversight is only undertaken through PAC. The PAC is the agent of the House in the exercise of that oversight role by the House under the Constitution. One of the principles of public finance in Article 201(d) of the Constitution is that public money shall be used in a prudent and responsible way. Under Article 229(4) of the Constitution, the Auditor-General is required, within six months after the end of each financial year, to audit and report to Parliament on the accounts of both levels of Government. Further, Article 229(6) states: “An audit report shall confirm whether or not public money has been applied lawfully and in an effective way.”"
}