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{
    "id": 1393810,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1393810/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 240,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "Unfortunately, Sen. Sifuna has walked out. The mess we are trying to work on was built over the years after Independence. Madam Temporary Speaker, the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto you steered as one of its midwives highlights the issue of fiscal discipline. It is good to borrow, but we must be disciplined, prudent, account for every shilling, dollar, or whatever currency it is, that we borrow to finance projects. We are aware that the money being borrowed both locally and externally is meant for development of this country. I thank the President for making history today. The signing of the Affordable Housing Bill into an Act of Parliament is one of the monumental times in this country. Sen. Lemaletian was at a social function in Samburu County. I do not know whether it was Principal Secretary Ololtuaa's homecoming. She requested that a road be constructed in Samburu County. Where will the money come from? We must borrow. When we raise taxes, the same people who are busy shouting loudest here and mourning than the bereaved are the ones saying that we should not overtax Kenyans. However, when they go to podiums, they say; Rais tunaomba . My apologies for mixing languages. They say, Mr. President, we are requesting. I am trying to justify why the Government must borrow. The moment you tax Kenyans, Sen. Oketch Gicheru, with his litany of political ideologies, will be on the road stating that we should not tax Kenyans. However, they will complain that the Government has not developed Nyatike in Migori County and that they need roads and bursaries. Governors are on our necks, stating they need Kshs450 billion for counties through equitable shareable revenue. In this financial year, our fiscal deficit is over Kshs700 billion. In short, we should allow the Government to borrow. I am happy that we amended Section 50 of the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act to move the public debt ceiling to a percentage of GDP. This is significant as stipulated in our manifesto. We are working towards achieving 55 per cent of public debt to the GDP. Currently, the public debt is at 67 per cent against the GDP. 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."
}