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{
    "id": 1517056,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1517056/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 299,
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    "content": "Hon. Temporary Speaker, the House Business Committee has proposed a total of 199 sittings between 11th February 2025 and 4th December 2025. This excludes Special Sittings and any extra sittings the House may resolve to sit. As Hon. Members may be aware, business in the first part of the Session is mostly guided by the submission of the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy by 15th February 2025, both of which we have laid on the Table of the House today and should be considered and adopted within 14 days. We will consider these two very important documents that we have laid on the Table of the House. I request Members to read the BPS and ensure that they have acquainted themselves with the contents of the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy. Additionally, we expect the Division of Revenue Bill to be introduced in the National Assembly by 10th March 2024. As we are aware, it is usually a very contentious document because of what counties, the National Government and the Equalisation Fund want. I request that the Hon. Members ensure they read the Division of Revenue Bill and take a position so we can debate this matter here by 10th March, when we will table it. The second part of the Session is guided by the budget timelines for conducting public hearings by the Budget and Appropriations Committee on the annual Budget Estimates. This should be undertaken before the Committee tables its report on the Estimates for approval by the House. We know what happened during the last Session when the Budget and the Finance Bill were brought into this House. It is important to conduct proper public participation so that Kenyans are aware of the contents of these two very important documents as we prepare going forward. Further, in mid-June, the Cabinet Secretary will make a pronouncement of the Budget highlights and the revenue-raising measures in this House, which is a very important day for Parliament and the country. You may find it very interesting that for the first time, Hon. John Ng’ongo Mbadi will come to this House as a Cabinet Secretary, but not as a Sitting Member, to lay the Budget Estimates and annual appropriations. We look forward to mid-June when the Budget highlights and revenue raising measures will be brought to this House. The approval of the Budget and Appropriations Committee Report on the annual estimates introduction and the Appropriation Bill will be done during this time. It is a very important piece of legislation. The Finance Bill, Appropriation Bill and any other Supplementary Appropriation Bill are important and should be approved by 30th June 2025. I have seen a lot of effort to ensure the Finance Bill we will bring to this House is availed to the general public and proper debate and public participation are done. I commend the efforts of Hon. John Mbadi for starting it off. I saw him at Jeevanjee Gardens. I also saw him today conducting a good press conference enlightening the public. That is how important it is to have a Cabinet Secretary who has served in this House. He took over the work and did it with enthusiasm and passion. It is commendable that the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning wants to inform the public. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the preparation of the House calendar has also considered religious holidays, with Good Friday being on 18th April 2025 and Easter Monday falling on 21st April 2025. Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to take place on Sunday, 30th March 2025 or Monday, 31st March 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon. It is important for Members to take time off to celebrate these very important holidays with their families. The calendar has taken cognisance of this to ensure that Members celebrate these holidays. It is also worth noting that the Annual Prayer Breakfast which is a very important date for this House is attended by many dignitaries from outside the country, His Excellency the President, the Cabinet and Members come together to pray for this country. The Committee is led by Hon. Chepkonga, who is busy trying to get a Valentine's date for tomorrow. I want to remind him of his role as the Chairman of the Annual Prayer Breakfast. Please ensure it is properly prepared so the country can join this annual event. We have therefore prepared our 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."
}