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{
    "id": 1232763,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1232763/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 184,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Veronica Maina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "business at the Senate would necessarily mean that there is a delay in the functions being resourced or being supported. Mr. Speaker, sir, I draw your attention to Section 5(e) of the Division of the Revenue Bill, 2023, the fact that the national Government continues to solely bear shortfalls in revenue in any given financial year, while county governments receive their full allocation despite the budget cuts affecting the national Government entities. This provision having been pronounced in this Bill clearly shows the spirit with which the national Government has been dealing with county governments as far as allocation of resources are concerned. It shows that the national Government has gone out of its way to ensure that county governments receive the resources that are due to them in spite of the serious budget cuts that have been done affecting the entities and the functions of the national Government. Does that potent good faith or bad faith? In my very humble proposal, it shows very good faith from the national Government insofar as allocating resources to counties is concerned. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I also want to draw the attention of our colleagues to the principles set out under Article 203 that has been put into serious consideration before this Bill was drawn. Out of those stipulations, you will find there are considerations of national interest such as what must be provided for, for the public debt. It is now common knowledge that our national Government is ridden with debt. This Bill has ensured that there is a provision for that debt. Indeed, if you look at how the surplus of a budget is supposed to be managed in the event that the national Government managed to get a surplus of revenue, then you will find that that surplus has been assigned directly to handle debt. This is because, when a country is ridden with debt, it continues to be a very big risk to the operations of that nation. That is why it is important that the Constitution has also provided that any surplus must then be applied towards reducing the debt. If we look at the current Division of Revenue Bill, there are two things that one must consider: Does it meet the Constitutional stipulations? I would say, yes. I would draw your attention to Clause 6 of the Bill. The calculations of the equitable share that is supposed to be allocated for Financial Year 2023/2024 is based on the last audited accounts of Financial Year 2019/2020. That is Kshs1.673715 trillion. This is the last audited account and approved by the National Assembly. The reference to that specific audited account of Financial Year 2019/2020 is in order and is the one that is constitutionally allowed. If you also look at Article 203(2), it also stipulates that the allocation cannot be less that 15 per cent. If you look at the current allocation of Kshs385 billion, this stands at 23.5 per cent which is approximately 9.5 per cent above the stipulated constitutional provision. In my view, this allocation of the budget is practical. It is reasonable and meets the legal stipulation and nothing should hold it away from being voted in. I take this opportunity to persuade my colleagues on the other side to consider this as a good Bill and pass it, just the way the National Assembly passed it. We should pass"
}