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{
    "id": 1456737,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1456737/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 4127,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Saku, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Ali Raso",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. You accommodated myself and Hon. Rindikiri when time had run out. They say that great times call for great leaders. That is leadership on your part and, indeed, we are very grateful. I rise to support the Supplementary Budget as presented by the Budget and Appropriations Committee. I thank the Chairman and his team. They were on their feet, once the Finance Bill was thrown to come up with fresh numbers so that Kenya has a budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025. For that reason, I thank the Chairman and members of the Committee for showing great leadership. They say that choices have consequences. As soon as we were not able to get the Finance Bill, we had to cut our clothes to our sizes. This is why this particular Budget is not supplementary. We have just redone the Budget that we passed about three weeks ago in the month of June. For that reason, I would like to thank the Speaker and the team that galvanised and ensured that the Budget was finalised. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I want to touch on a few issues. After hearing from our security teams in the Defence Forces and the National Police Service, there was disquiet when the austerity measures were announced. They mentioned that they hardly have enough vehicles and that many police stations are under-staffed. They also raised concerns about their uniforms, rations and other issues that could potentially undermine the security of our people, especially those that are living in remote areas. Therefore, whereas austerity measures are good and important, we must ensure that they do not compromise the security of our people, wherever they may be. Secondly, the Ministry of Interior had planned to establish more sub-counties, locations and sub-locations, to provide services closer to the people. The number of DCCs, ACCs, Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs would be increased. However, with the austerity measures, even some of the ongoing construction projects in sub-counties are likely to be halted. This will affect the provision of services to our people, especially in areas that are under-serviced by the national Government. Those issues should be considered in the Supplementary Estimates II to ensure adequate funding. Hon. Temporary Speaker, you sit in my committee and we have managed to visit the sub- counties and counties in the North Rift that are terribly affected by insecurity. Because of these austerity measures, the bandits and armed groups are likely to regain their position. This might affect us because when you gain ground and restore security in an area, you do not expect regression. If enough resources are not put into security, potential danger looms in such areas. As a Committee, we focused on the issue of duplication and overlap of mandates, particularly in State departments that coordinate Government services. As the Budget and Appropriations Committee sits, they must use a tooth comb to ensure that the Government is not overtly duplicative or coordinating, so that those resources can be directed to critical areas and essential services are provided to our people. 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."
}