Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 145336,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/145336/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 403,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "We came across the issue of failure to utilize LATF funds. This is on paragraphs 430 to 431. If we cannot address how LATF funds are being used in this country, then county councils will never visit the general populace with any development. Our Committee heard that under-expenditure of LATF funds resulted from non- compliances with LATF disbursement conditionalities by many local authorities. The Committee noted with concern that the incompetence of chief officers responsible for meeting the conditionalities contributed to the inefficiencies observed in those local authorities. These chief officers enjoy special protection from politicians and from the big hawks of political parties. When these people are being hired or being promoted to become chief officers, it is hardly on merit but because of who one knows. In the process, we end up having this kind of stuff. Our Committee noted that and recommends that local authorities should not be given additional funds, unless they account for the previous funds. I am praying that members of the Local Authorities Funds Committee will add their voice to this and work with quick speed so that we are current with them. We should deal with any of them who has breached this recommendation as they used to say it in primary school, there and then. The Committee also reiterates its earlier recommendation under Paragraph 479 of 2002/2003 Public Accounts Report that Accounting Officers should ensure that the concerned chief officers of local authorities are held responsible for failure to meet conditionalities as a result of their incompetence, negligence and inefficiencies. We also identified key issues under the Ministry of Public Works and Ministry of Roads. The issue of rehabilitation and construction of various roads in the country, the Committee noted with concern that inadequate feasibility study and improper designs may have contributed to the unnecessary times for extensions that are asked for by contractors. The Committee deplored the manner in which contracts are delayed without completing them with the original stipulated periods, necessitating variations and additional costs raising fears of possible collisions between the officers responsible and the contractor and leading to misappropriation. How much time am I remaining with? I am about to finish. Due to incompetence and high rates of corruption, ideally this Report should have been moved over a period of six months. However, we have condensed it because of the Standing Orders and I will make sure that I finish quickly. Under the Ministry of Roads and the Ministry of Public Works, we found the key issue of purchase and delivery of paint and other building materials to provincial and District Works Officers under paragraphs 450 to 455 where building materials worth Kshs17.3 million went to waste due to lack of storage space, poor quality of paint and delivery of paint beyond the required quantities. This is an issue where an Accounting Officer deliberately decided to purchase more paint that they required."
}