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{
    "id": 191048,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/191048/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 221,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dr. Kones",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 53,
        "legal_name": "Julius Kipyegon Kones",
        "slug": "julius-kones"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to support the Motion. I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Mbau for bringing such a very good Motion. We know that over the years, Parliamentarians have had very little or no role actually in the Budget process. This probably explains why year in, year out, there has been a discrepancy between what the House approves and what is actually spent by the various Ministries. I would like to support this Motion because this will give an opportunity to hon. Members to give their input in the Budget Statement that the Minister presents before this House during the Budget Day. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker Sir, Sir, allocation of resources is a very critical component for the development of any nation. If we allocate resources badly, then we will not have development at all. This has, probably, been the case in our country. This Bill is supposed to ensure that financial resources are allocated to key priority areas, especially key developmental activities in our constituencies and the country. There are those programmes which are very key at the local level. However, there are those that are important at the national level. By having this law in place, hon. Members will have an opportunity to identify those key areas at the local level, that is, in their respective constituencies, and also look at national issues which we must also prioritise. I hope that the Financial Management law will give strength to the Fiscal Analysis and Appropriation Committee of this House to not only scrutinize the Budget, but also to fully participate in the Budget process so that at every stage of the Budget implementation, that Committee should be able to brief the House on the appropriations of the finances given. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, a number of hon. Members have talked about equitable distribution of resources. This is an issue which also came up during the debate on the National Ethnic and Race Relations Commission, Bill. If we are to develop as a country and if peace is to prosper, we must ensure that there is equitable distribution of national resources. This Bill is an opportunity for hon. Members to ensure that resources are, indeed, equitably distributed. When it comes to democratization, the Budget-making process is not just the domain of a few people in the Ministry of Finance. We must open it up for the public so that they can also give their input to the Budget. I want to believe that this Motion is going to give an opportunity to members of the public to have more say in the Budget-making process. With those few remarks, I beg to support this Motion."
}