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{
    "id": 1379330,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1379330/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 120,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ugunja, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Opiyo Wandayi",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Speaker, as we speak, the Budget Policy Statement (BPS), which was tabled in this House last week, is undergoing an examination process. However, what is coming out is becoming a trend which has to be nipped in the bud if the authority of this House is to be restored. The Committees of Parliament, especially Departmental Committees, are being turned into mere bystanders, if not conveyor belts of the wishes of the Executive. As a matter of fact, what the Constitution requires… I have spoken to several chairpersons and they are very desperate. I will not name them but they are extremely helpless. What the Constitution envisages is that the national Government will simply bring proposals. Even if there is some global ceiling from the National Treasury, it has to be in consultation with Parliament. The proposals are supposed to be subjected to Departmental Committees, which advise the Budget and Appropriations Committee. It was never envisaged that the Executive would come with a fixed mind and dictate to Departmental Committees and the Budget and Appropriations Committee on the very crucial matter of budget-making process. I want to plead with my sister, Hon. Naomi Waqo, to be patient and to avoid interfering with my thought process. Hon. Speaker, I am raising this early in the day so that you can provide clear guidance in line with the Constitution and relevant statutes, especially the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act. As we speak, some ministries have already declared the manner in which monies will be allocated to them. So, they can perform specific functions, roles, or purposes which Parliament will only be a rubber stamp. Hon. Speaker, without belabouring the point, please, give guidance on this matter so that everybody else gets to understand that this House does not have a mere ceremonial role or duty in the budget-making process; rather it is a House with the primary powers of making the Budget. I submit."
}