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{
    "id": 1588145,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1588145/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 1227,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Samburu West, KANU",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Naisula Lesuuda",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also thank Hon. Moroto for the very insightful history lesson that he has just taken us through. I would like to congratulate the Members of the Budget and Appropriation Committee, where I also serve, under the able leadership of Hon. Atandi, and our Vice-Chairman, Hon. Pukose, for the excellent work done to ensure that we have a budget that is based on consensus, with no acrimony. This includes the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill. Allow me to speak to three points. First, on the issue of the Exchequer. There is a distinction between appropriation and actual disbursement of funds. I raise this point in regard to the Equalisation Fund and to county allocations in general. When we pass supplementary budgets in this House, the national Government is typically subjected to budget cuts. However, county governments still receive their full allocation for the financial year. Therefore, the Ksh415 billion that county governments will receive from the next financial year, which this House shall soon pass, is fully guaranteed. Even though we have pending arrears in relation to the Equalisation Fund, counties must acknowledge that they do receive the money appropriated by this House. This shows that Parliament is performing its duties, and the National Treasury is playing its part by ensuring that the funds reach the counties. Thus, even as county leaders agitate for increased allocations, they must acknowledge that the funds already allocated are being disbursed. Second, as I mentioned earlier, there is the issue of the Exchequer. Most Members will now return to their constituencies, quoting the Appropriation Bill, saying a given project will be implemented in their area. However, by the end of the financial year, and after several supplementary budgets, many of these projects end up not being funded. Therefore, Hon. Temporary Speaker, we must prioritise funding for what has been passed by this House, especially issues to do with capitation of schools and other basics like the Universal Health 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."
}