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{
    "id": 1250595,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1250595/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 1693,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Narok West, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "It is critical to note that appropriation of public resources is the sole responsibility of this House. Standing Order 235 provides that the Estimates, upon being laid in the House, are deemed to have been committed to respective Departmental Committees. The Committees shall then consider, discuss, and review the Estimates according to their mandate and make recommendations to the Budget and Appropriations Committee within 21 days. Based on that provision, I confirm that my Committee took time and went through the Estimates of the MDAs within the purview of the Committee, pursuant to Standing Order 216 and the Second Schedule of the same. Hon. Temporary Speaker, allow me to speak to some of the critical issues which were canvassed during the process. Under the National Police Service (NPS), my Committee observed that the Government had completed construction of the NPS Level 4 Hospital along Mbagathi Road. A majority of you must have seen it. However, it had not been operationalised due to lack of resources to procure drugs, parts for medical equipment, chemicals, foods and rations, uniforms and the rest. The NPS sought for an additional Ksh50 million towards this, but it was not provided in the Estimates. I am happy that my Committee rationalised the allocation across the MDAs to provide for the Ksh50 million to enable the NPS operationalise this hospital to give the needed service to our police officers. I believe that with this gesture from the Committee and subsequent adoption of the Report by the House, the hospital will soon be up and running. The Committee observed that service delivery by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on the production of Certificate of Good Conduct was hampered by the breakdown of the Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System (APFIS). A majority of us may have had a lot of complaints from the public. The Committee provided Ksh106.3 million to cater for the same. I am happy to note that my Committee, while exercising their constitutional mandate, also rationalised the resources across the MDAs and realised the saving of the same amount to enable this critical service resume as soon as possible when the financial year begins. It is good to report good news that the service has resumed. The DCI managed to negotiate on the promise that this money is going to be available. My Committee observed that the number of police officers was rapidly declining on account of natural attrition. However, there was no allocation for recruitment to replace such officers. There was a need to recruit 5,000 officers to replace the ones that have left the service and further boost the dwindling numbers. The resources amounting to Ksh3.3 billion for recruitment of an additional 5,000 officers could not be realised. I hope that during the Budget implementation, we will realise the savings and more resources to enable us embark on this critical exercise which touches on our national security. The inadequacies in resource allocation has also affected the critical Department of Immigration, and thousands of Kenyans seeking economic opportunities or medical treatment abroad could not secure passports due to the breakdown of the printer. The Committee provided Ksh70 million towards addressing this problem by purchasing two high density printers. I am happy to note that the National Treasury has assented to our advisory that the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, being one of the Departments generating revenue, be allowed to utilise some of the resources they generate. We welcome the move to allocate Ksh1.3 billion as A-in-A to go towards alleviating the funding challenges facing the Department. This gesture will accelerate service delivery as was promised by the Kenya Kwanza Government. The Government has over the years gazetted new administrative units to enhance service delivery mainly through creation of new sub-counties, locations, sub-locations, and divisions. Unfortunately, there have been no corresponding resources to actualise this noble idea. I am happy to inform this House that my Committee provided Ksh100 million to operationalise these new units. I also appreciate the Budget and Appropriations Committee as 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."
}