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{
    "id": 1460711,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1460711/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 263,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Teso South, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mary Emaase",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to second the Division of Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2024. I will be very brief. I want to make it very simple. We suffered a shortfall in the projected revenue, which was occasioned by the failure to enact the Finance Bill, 2024. As a result, this necessitated the re-arrangement and rationalisation of the estimates. We have already done that through the Supplementary Estimates I of the Financial Year 2024/2025. The purpose and object of this Bill is to amend the Division of Revenue Act, 2024 to provide for the equitable sharing of revenue between the national Government and county governments, taking into account that shortfall. We are considering the downward revision of the projected revenues which we have just witnessed as a result of the collapse of the Finance Bill, 2024. We had initially projected revenue of Ksh2,948 billion, but now that has been revised downwards to Ksh2,602.1 billion. This brings us to a downward revision by Ksh346 billion, which the Chairman has explained that it has to be borne by both county and national governments. That means the county governments’ shareable revenue has come down by Ksh20 billion, while that of the national Government has come down by Ksh325 billion. The amendment in Clause 5(1)(a) of the Bill seeks to protect county governments. If we have a shortfall at any one time, it limits the amount that shall be borne by the county governments. It shall not to exceed 15 per cent of the shortfall. This is a very straightforward Bill. Kenyans have told us to live within our means whenever we have a shortfall. We have to share whatever challenges that are accruing from some of the actions or choices we make as a country. We are told choices have consequences. County governments’ allocation is Ksh380 billion. This is a reduction of what we had initially projected. I appeal to them to prioritise their needs. They should look into pending bills and make sure to pay contractors that even previous regimes gave tenders. Services were rendered and offered. Let them be given priority and be paid their monies. I second. Thank you."
}