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{
    "id": 1232806,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1232806/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 227,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Tabitha Mutinda",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "billion plus Kshs.3 billion giving the outstanding of about Kshs31 billion which should be the main balance. That is what our committee settled for. Project identification and implementation under the second policy on marginalization is yet to be undertaken and it will commence immediately after approval of the Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill 2023. This is important as I said earlier; this is when these funds have been remitted. The good thing is that as per feedback and update of the National Assembly, the Committees are already in place. They are going to undergo the process of ensuring they are gazetted so that they can appropriate the funds depending on the amount of the funds. That will guide on the type of project that the fund can undertake. We have less than three months remaining before the Financial Year 2022/2023 lapses. There is a need to expedite very fast on this Bill. I also thank you, Mr. Speaker, for changing the Order Paper to prioritize this Bill. Some of the projects under the first marginalization policy are yet to be completed. Why? This is because of the delay occasioned by the stoppage of the expenditure of the fund by the High Court ruling which declared that Equalization Fund guidelines are unconstitutional, null and void. There is a need to expedite the completion of this project so that the benefits are realized within the 34 counties as I stated earlier. The Committee has recommended that the National Assembly should submit by the end of April 2023 a framework showing a clear action plan of how the pending funds, entitlements, and arrears will be recovered. This is about the arrears of the Kshs.31 billion. It is the Kshs28 billion plus the Kshs3 billion which was not budgeted for in the first Supplementary Budget. The Committee requested the National Assembly to give a framework on how the total balance is going to be remitted to the 34 counties. The Committee also appreciates the support of our Secretariat led by Christopher Gitonga who is the Clerk of the Committee for ensuring that this Bill is timely. I also want to thank my Committee Members who have been supportive. We have been team players during the deliberations on this Bill. I thank you and I request my colleague and a Member of the Committee, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, to second the Motion."
}