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{
"id": 1063197,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1063197/?format=api",
"text_counter": 189,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Poghisio",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 202,
"legal_name": "Samuel Losuron Poghisio",
"slug": "samuel-poghisio"
},
"content": "nationally among the national and county governments as required by Article 218 of the Constitution in order to facilitate the proper functioning of county governments and ensure continuity of county services. The Budget Policy Statement (BPS) was laid in this House on 16th February, 2021. Consequently, the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget Report was tabled on 24th February, 2021, and approved on 2nd March, 2021. In compliance with Article 218(2) of the Constitution of Kenya as read together with the Public Finance Management Act, 2012; Standing Order No.181(1) provides that the Division of Revenue Bill shall be presented at least two months before the end of the financial year. Further, pursuant to Standing Order No.181(3), the Senate is required to consider the Bill not later than 14 days after the Bill is introduced. It is for this reason that the Hon. Speaker gazetted a Special Sitting to allow for this Bill to be passed before 30th April, 2021, while observing the COVID-19 protocols. Madam Deputy Speaker, the consolidation of the Division of Revenue Bill in record time will further enable the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and Budget to introduce the County Allocation Revenue Bill, not later than seven days after the enactment the Division of Revenue Bill, 2021. This will smoothly pave way for the tabling of the Cash Disbursement Schedule in accordance with Standing Order No.183. Importantly, the Bill is prepared based on the approved Third Basis for Revenue Allocation among county governments pursuant to Article 217 of the Constitution as was approved in September, 2020. Madam Deputy Speaker, later as we go into the details of the Committee of the Whole, Third Reading and so on, you will notice that it is true that the Third Basis for Revenue Allocation was arrived at under very controversial circumstances. Later on, it was agreed on and we passed it. That Third Basis of Revenue Allocation has been applied. Therefore, I do not expect that there should be any issues arising as a result of what has been done on this budget. Madam Deputy Speaker, Senators and colleagues, the Division of Revenue Bill, 2021 proposes an allocation of Kshs409,880,890,512 this Financial Year 2021/2022. This amount included an increase of Kshs53.5 billion or 16.9 per cent for equitable share. This includes an additional allocation from the share of national Government revenue and an additional conditional allocation from proceeds of loans and grants. The Division of Revenue Bill, 2021, is so important for the Senate. As Members here know, our main constitutional duty is to defend counties and their governments. So, this Division of Revenue Bill, 2021, takes into account national interest, public debt and other national obligations and needs of disadvantaged groups and areas in accordance with Article 203(1) of the Constitution. I would like to urge Members that we take the shortest time possible to pass this Bill. We will then have another opportunity to look at the details of this when we come to the Committee of the Whole. Madam Deputy Speaker, let me summarise and bring to a close my presentation of this Bill. Most significantly, the Senate is constitutionally mandated as the protector of devolved units. As a result of this, Senators should not occasion any delay in passing the Division of Revenue Bill, 2021. I appeal to Members to be bipartisan as they allow this"
}