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{
    "id": 1440137,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1440137/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 353,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Homa Bay County, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Atieno Bensuda",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "has been done and reported by the Auditor-General. We have realised that there are issues with disbursement from the National Treasury in terms of the NG-CDF funds and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF). This House is not junior to the National Treasury that it must beg, crawl or kneel before the Treasury to releases funds. On the Equalisation Funds that were tabled, we noticed that only Ksh22 billion was released. The Report says that there is laxity in the disbursement of funds from the National Treasury. I would like it to be on record that the Principal Secretary (PS), National Treasury should appear before this House and be given a clear explanation on the fact that we are begging – seemingly singing a lullaby – that funds must be released. The PS, National Treasury must respect this House and the formula used to disburse funds. It is quite hurting. If 14 counties were identified as marginalised, then I take cognisance of the fact that the Constitution respects what marginalisation is. I want to uphold the Committee that increased the number from 14 to 34. In fact, they ought to have increased it to a total of 47 because this country is seriously undergoing economic marginalisation. I am just from the rural areas in Homa Bay County. I visited a number of markets and most of them do not have electricity. They are crying about transformers. Members of Parliament cannot implement without funds. Equally, the governor cannot implement what is not straight. The National Treasury must be disciplined and stop being rogue. Regulations and frameworks must be put in place. We need a clear tabling of the projects that are supposed to be undertaken in the 14 counties. During the floods, we watched on television how farmers suffered and how their produce rotted. There are no roads or schools. As much as the equalisation funds were supposed to address issues of infrastructure, education and health, we do not want to beg anyone over this. The same way we are budgeting and fixing issues, when the budget of this financial year is tabled in this House, we must rise to maturity and not focus on the political divide. This House must know that they have a choice to put Kenya on the right track or lead Kenya down the drain. As legislators, we must stand firm to ensure things are done the right way. We must not rise up for NG-CDF and NGAAF to be disbursed. Even the Women Representatives of this country are marginalised in a way. There are no funds yet we are expected to work. We are waiting for the Ksh1 billion in the budget cycle that the President had promised. We had been given Ksh1 billion for sanitary towels which we are still waiting for. We do not need to kneel unless we do not know why we were elected here. The Principal Secretary of the National Treasury should take charge, be disciplined and serve this nation. He must be brought to the Floor of this House. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}