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{
    "id": 1349078,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1349078/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 132,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Ali Roba",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The Equalization Fund (Administration) Bill (Senate Bills No.14 of 2023). The Bill was passed by the House with amendments and transmitted to the National Assembly for concurrence. The Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.16 of 2023). The Senate passed the Bill with amendments, which were transmitted to the National Assembly. The National Assembly rejected the Senate’s amendments to the Bill. Consequently, pursuant to Article 113 of the Constitution, the Bill was referred to a Mediation Committee. The Mediation Committee developed an agreed version of the Bill that was considered and approved by both Houses. It was forwarded to the President for assent in accordance with Article 113(3) of the Constitution. The County Governments (Revenue Raising Process) Bill (Senate Bills No.22 of 2023). The Committee recommended that the Senate rejects the Bill on the basis that the provisions of the Bill would be a claw back on the powers of county governments to impose taxes, levies and charges under Article 209(3) and (4) of the Constitution. Further, a violation of the objects of devolution as set out in Article 174 of the Constitution and in particular self-governance and participation in decision-making. The Bill proposes establishment of an Inter-Agency Committee whose mandate would be approval of introduction of new county taxes, fees, levies and charges. This move would be equivalent to usurping the powers of the county governments. Additionally, some of the provisions of the Bill already exist in other Acts already approved such as the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 and Intergovernmental Relations Act, 2012. The Bill is currently at the Second Reading Stage in the Senate, with the advice from the Committee that it be rejected. The Committee is currently considering the following Bills and will table its reports upon conclusion- (1) The Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (Senate Bills No.40 of 2023 (2) The County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.39 of 2023). The Committee also considered and tabled a report on the County Governments (Equitable Share) Cash Disbursement Schedule for the Financial Year 2023/2024. While considering the Bills, the Committee held consultative meetings with the all the critical stakeholders as required by law. Under the Statements before the committee, the committee has considered and concluded the following four (4) Statements- (1) Utilization of the Equalization Fund in the County Government of Taita Taveta by Sen. Johnes Mwaruma, MP. The Committee considered the analysis of responses from the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) and the National Treasury and provided a brief to Sen. Johnes Mwaruma, MP, indicating that pursuant to Article 216(4), there was a criterion in place for the identification of marginalised areas (at Location level) which determine beneficiary counties under the Fund. In this respect, the allocations from the Fund corresponded to certain marginalised areas within Taita Taveta County. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}