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{
    "id": 1419942,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1419942/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 315,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13162,
        "legal_name": "Moses Otieno Kajwang'",
        "slug": "moses-otieno-kajwang"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this has brought about some feelings that the Senate is overstepping its mandate. I have seen in some cases where some county assemblies have argued that a county assembly and the national Parliament are at the same level in terms of legislative oversight and representation and all the functions that are granted to us in the Constitution. Therefore, the financial matters of county assemblies should never be brought to Parliament. In as much as we have got our respective powers, there is no institution that is above the law nor beyond oversight. That is why even the financial statements of the national Parliament, particularly the PSC, are audited by the Auditor-General and tabled to the respective committee. County assemblies have argued that since reports of the PSC go to Parliament, reports of the CASBs should also go to the county assemblies. I look forward to the day when our county assemblies will not have adverse opinions and disclaimers. It is absurd for a county assembly whose primary duty is to facilitate staff and MCAs to have adverse opinions. We have seen habits that are unthinkable here in the national Parliament, where Members go on trips and get per diems, but there is no accountability nor submission of returns. I look forward to the day that, when it comes to financial management and controls, county assemblies will be run with the level of efficiency as the national Parliament. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the report that we tabled on the 7th March, 2024, was quite detailed because it dealt with financial statements for the financial years 2018/2019 all the way to 2019/2020. It is the desire of the committee that I have the privilege to chair, that we can be current. At the moment, in the hearings that we have scheduled, we have decided to consolidate the financial statements. As I speak, county assemblies are in the last round of appearing for the financial year up to 2022. By the end of this Session, I assure this House that we will be bringing up to date, current and live reports from the county assemblies. I am also optimistic that of the 47 county assemblies, we will be having more of them with unqualified opinions. To the county assemblies out there, if the accounting officer and the finance team adheres to the requirements of the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, and the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB) and you have an unqualified opinion, I guarantee them that we will have no business calling them to appear before the Senate. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if a county assembly has persistent adverse reports or disclaimers like in the case of Nairobi and Migori, respectively, I assure them that we will not tire to teach, interrogate and probe them, so that they can do the right thing. There are a number of cross cutting issues that apply to most of the county assemblies. Previously, we realised that audit issues tend to rotate around the same things. That is why, we brought to this House the first Fiduciary Risks Report. At the moment, we are working with the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) to come up with the second version of the Fiduciary Risks Report. That report summarises the cross cutting and common themes in the county assemblies and executives. For example, with respect to the county assemblies that we are discussing today, the common 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."
}