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{
    "id": 1274088,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1274088/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 536,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "That Article is very clear. I believe that is the Article that the National Treasury read and went ahead and disbursed money to counties without getting the approval from the Senate. The Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, Section 17(6) states as follows- “The National Treasury shall at the beginning of every month and no later than the 15th day, from the commencement of the month disburse monies to county governments for the expenditures of the following months.” Section 17(7) states as follows: “The disbursement referred to in subsection 6 shall be done in accordance with a schedule prepared by the National Treasury in consultation with the Inter- Governmental Budget and Economic Council with the approval of the Senate and published in the Gazette as approved no later than 30th May in every year.” Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rose on a point of order, and I questioned the statement of facts. Even without them being tabled, it is now quite evident that National Treasury proceeded and released money. Why did the National Treasury proceed to release the money? That is the question that we must ask. It is because this Government wants to appear very progressive and proactive in ensuring that they defend counties and they send money to counties to promote devolution? Or is it because even the National Treasury violated Section 17(6) and (7) of the PFM Act and they wanted to cure it by ensuring they send money in line with Article 219 of the Constitution? I was beginning to blame our committee but when did the Committee receive this disbursement schedule from the National Treasury? Treasury sent it on the 27th June, 2023. I have looked at the report which has been submitted by the Committee and the Committee said that the reason why we are debating this issue of County Allocation of Revenue Act (CARA) right now is because there was a delay in passing CARA. Was there really a delay in passing CARA? I have just consulted with the vice- chairperson of the Committee, and she has told me clearly that CARA was passed on 30th May. I know the Senate secretariat is very quick in ensuring that whatever is passed by this House is transmitted to the National Treasury. The question is why did the Treasury take a whole month to send the cash disbursement? When they sent the cash disbursement to the Senate on 27th June, the Senate Committee took an additional 20 days so that brings it to 18th July. That is already past the time which is stipulated by law on when the funds shall be transferred to counties. The question we must ask ourselves is this: If we are really attempting to do everything right, is it wrong for the Senate to come out and question why the Treasury released the money without the approval? I dare say it is not. Although the end does not justify---what is it? The means does not justify the end- --"
}