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{
    "id": 1451040,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1451040/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 4424,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "manner. In our recommendations, we want to make amendments across all the entities of Government that collect money. When you collect money from a Kenyan, that is public money. If it is public money, whereas the collecting entities need to keep some of the money for themselves in order for them to collect more and remain efficient, we must open up these funds for the surplus amounts to be channelled to the Consolidated Fund so that instead of the Government borrowing and overtaxing the formal sector, we can also raise much more resources through these funds and contribute to the Consolidated Fund. Sometimes it is a paradox that on one side the Government of Kenya is raising money through Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds but on the other side of the supply some of the Government money is being used to purchase these bonds. Some of these rigidities in law have to come to an end. We must open up all the funds. We must open up all the points of A-in-A so that money cannot continue to be spent singularly. We should give this money to the National Treasury to fund critical areas. What do I mean? If there is an increment in A-in-A, for example, in the Tourism Fund of Ksh3 billion, or in the Communications Authority or in the Sports Fund, the surplus of this money could be used to contribute to the Ksh14.5 billion required to fund the last- mile connectivity programme. However, the way we have crafted our laws is such that money raised through the Tourism Fund can only be spent in a specific manner. If that specific manner gets to saturation level, then what happens is empire-building? The accounting officers look for ways of spending the money. As a country, we do not have money to spend just for the sake of spending. We only have money available for essential areas. Although we are faced with this challenge, I urge this House, through the Departmental Committees, to help us. The work of the Budget and Appropriations Committee is akin to that of a clerk. We listen to you and do our best. You know that we have been doing our best. When there is a challenge, particularly with reallocations, it is not the doing of the Budget and Appropriation Committee but rather a direction from the Executive, allowing us to take care of our economy. I say this because, in the previous cycles, we have always adopted up to the last comma, what is presented to the Committee by the Departmental Committees. We also consult widely. I also make a point of consulting the Chairpersons so that they are aware of all the changes. The Departmental Committee chairs and their Members are my colleagues. It is not that we know better than them. Sometimes when resources are scarce we have to let the Executive decide because they are the spenders. The buck stops with them. I am being honest because this House has been harmonious about this budgetary review. After consulting with the National Treasury, the Departmental Committee Chairs, Members of Parliament, and the Executive, we have decided that despite the budget cuts, certain areas must not suffer. This country is in a beseeched place. One of the tenets of economic growth is the expansion of Government expenditure. Restraining Government expenditure in the upcoming months would likely lead to a shrinking economy. Therefore, while we cut expenses, we must ensure that there is still adequate funding available to provide liquidity to the economy. These specific areas were chosen after consultations with all the stakeholders. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the education sector is receiving the largest share of the Budget, with Ksh650 billion allocated to it. Despite Kenya being considered a democracy with an open- market economy, the reality is that the Government's role significantly impacts the economy due to its socialist nature as evidenced by its substantial expenditure. The Government's responsibilities, including taking over stalled projects like the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), have contributed to the nation's economic challenges. One would argue that the The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}