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{
    "id": 1406057,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406057/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 385,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Tabitha Mutinda",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Under normal circumstances, we have always had a maximum of between three to four governors coming before the committee, when the CoG appeared. However, this time round, they came full force. We had to try and squeeze in our small space, but what was important was to execute our discussions. We had about 10 governors who appeared to deliberate on this agenda. Apparently, their proposal was Kshs450 billion. Hon. Senators and governors need to understand that we did not just take and calculate figures. Our Kshs415.9 billion figure is a mathematically calculated figure. That is why, as a committee, we justify this calculation because even the Kshs450 billion was not adding up. Our biggest question to the governors was simple, what are you doing as far as the pending bills is concerned? One common denominator of the answer was that they found these bills in place from the defunct governments and all that. However, there has to be an end to every start. We have emphasised to the governors that it is the high time they also address this issue. The county that I represent, the Nairobi City County, has Kshs107 billion pending bills. It is a shame and we have to call a spade a spade. I am also privileged to serve in the other Oversight Committee called County Public Investment Committee (CPIC), where we have this stakeholder called the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC). Where I sit, in the Committee on Finance and Budget, we give the money. I also sit in CPIC and I oversight the money that we have given. As an oversight committee, we have noted a weakness with some counties as far as their staff are concerned, in regards to the professionalism of the accounting standards that are to be adhered to. Some of the counties are not completely adhering to the accounting standards. It is so shocking at times that when you ask them for their Certified Public Accountant (CPA) numbers, that they should have as required, like the ones the lawyers have, some of them have not even renewed their numbers, showing lack of seriousness. These are people who are poor when it comes to the financial statements. It becomes a challenge if these are the people who are supposed to give advice to the executive and make policies. I urge the institution that deals with accountants to be more keen and take action and deregister members who are not serious on ensuring that they are up to date with the accounting standards and how they should be able to respect their certifications that they have been awarded to. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Division of Revenue Act (DORA) is a very important issue in this Senate. I wish I would be able to vote, but what is important is that I am here. I pride in the fact that I have been able to champion for more monies for the governors. I urge my colleague Senators who have the power to vote for this Kshs415.9 billion. This is because some of them will be the future governors. How then do you sort these problems that we have been mentioning, if you do not make the decision now? At times, the decisions we make are not just for the future, but for the current situations that we are in. 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."
}