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{
    "id": 1165124,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1165124/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 372,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kavindu Muthama",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The delay in cash disbursements has led to a lot of pending bills in our counties and especially in Machakos County. Sen. (Dr.) Ochillo-Ayacko can bear me witness that the last time we summoned the Governor of Machakos County to appear before the County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC), pending bills was a big issue. To date, those pending bills are still there. Madam Deputy Speaker, many people have been auctioned due to pending bills. Many others have died while others are living under depression because some of those pending bills originate from 2013 to date yet those are people who had taken loans. When you question, you are told that county governments are not receiving cash disbursements from the National Treasury. People are dying because of lack medication in hospitals and even as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. There are so many of our elderly people who live with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and all these other age related conditions and there is no medication in the hospitals. These people are poor, have no money yet there is no medication in the hospitals. When you question, they claim that money has not been released from the National Treasury. I concur with the Committee on Finance and Budget that the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the National Treasury and Planning should come and answer these questions. There must be a process to ensure that even when the medication has not been paid for, the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) can release the medication pending payment or the National Treasury can pay KEMSA directly so that hospitals can get medicines. Our people are dying. I congratulate this Committee for this Statement. I pray that it shall see the light of day and whatever it takes, shall be done so that our people stop suffering. The pending bills should be paid because these governors are exiting. I do not know if the governors who will take office after the General Elections will pay these people. Our people will continue suffering in the counties."
}