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{
    "id": 1077033,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1077033/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 239,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mavoko, WDM-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Patrick Makau",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2328,
        "legal_name": "Patrick Makau King'ola",
        "slug": "patrick-makau-kingola"
    },
    "content": "For example, the Ministry of Sports has been allocated Ksh16.4 billion. Out of this figure, Treasury has only given Ksh1.8 billion for Recurrent Expenditure and Ksh2.6 billion for Development Expenditure. Treasury expects the Ministry to collect Ksh15 billion in Appropriation-in-Aid. When you look at how COVID-19 has affected the sector to the extent that there are no sporting activities, there is no way the Fund can raise this money. So, in actual fact, what Treasury is telling the Ministry of Sports is to go out there, get Ksh15 billion, do development and pay salaries—with money in the air. I agree with Members who say that the Treasury is not being serious with its estimates. In our findings, we realised that there are so many pending bills. I also agree with Members who say these pending bills are a harbour of corruption. For example, when we had the CHAN competitions we were told the Government of Kenya used Ksh130 million. There is a company going by the name of Soft Services. As at today, the Ministry has their pending bill of Ksh1.1 billion, from an initial sum of Ksh130 million. I know there was communication from the Office of the Attorney-General that Ministries and State Departments should sit down with vendors and agree on a certain sum. I think this encourages impunity. We have recommended as a matter of policy that those bills must be re-examined, because there is so much money the taxpayer loses through pending bills. This also emanates from lack of representation. When some of these cases are taken to court, you find there is no legal representation. The vendors are taking advantage. When the vendors present a bill which includes penalties and interests, it becomes impossible to pay. I do not see how in two years Ksh130 million can multiply to Ksh1.1 billion. If we want to be realistic, sporting activities in this country mean a lot. If we want to be serious with our youth, we have to develop the stadiums as was promised. The seven regional stadia that were promised are 70 per cent, 40 per cent or 20 per cent complete. That is why as a Committee we have recommended that the National Youth Service (NYS) should be engaged. We have also advised that the Ministry calls the contractors so that we can have meeting points instead of chasing them away. Again, it has become a trend that once you discontinue a contract or there is breach of contract, contractors run to court and get awarded while the State Departments are not represented. It has become a vicious cycle. From a principal sum of Ksh100 million, you are given an invoice of Ksh1.1 billion. So, we recommend to the Ministry and the Treasury to have some finality on this matter, if we want to realise value for money. I would want to read out some of the recommendations that we feel if implemented by Treasury, then the State Departments can meet their obligations. We are charged with the responsibility of doing oversight on the State Department for Culture and Heritage. That is one of the most underfunded State Departments. For example, it has been allocated Ksh2.8 billion. This comprises Ksh2.7 billion for Recurrent Expenditure and Ksh54 million for development. However, the State Department requires Ksh7.2 billion, which translates to Recurrent Expenditure of Ksh4.62 billion and Development Expenditure of Ksh2.8 billion. So, when Treasury purports to allocate Ksh2.7 billion and only Ksh4.8 million, it does not make sense. As a Committee, we feel that this State Department has been underfunded. You know we prided in our heritage and culture. Our museums are in poor state. The last time the National Archives was painted is about 20 years ago. The National Archives in Kisumu has only two staff members; the manager and a messenger. According to statistics, it is supposed to have a workforce of about 35 staff members. So, we request Treasury to fund this State Department so that it can hire more staff. Going by these figures, it means this State Department that carries the heritage of this country is collapsing. The 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."
}