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"id": 252440,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/252440/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. M'Mukindia",
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"speaker": {
"id": 271,
"legal_name": "Kirugi Joseph Laiboni M'Mukindia",
"slug": "kirugi-mmukindia"
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"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this Motion because I realise that when we do a budget it is not humanly possible to foresee what is likely to happen in the next 12 months. This is true in any budgeting process; whether it be Government or the private sector. We have to accept the fact that we do not know fully what will happen in the future. Nevertheless, I feel that, like hon. Members have said, there are certain concerns regarding these Supplementary Estimates. This is especially true if you look at how the money is being transferred from the Development Vote to the Recurrent Vote. We have been told that a lot of this money will go into meeting requirements of the famine relief efforts. I do not think any hon. Member would wish to see any of our people suffering merely because we do not want to vote for these Supplementary Estimates. For that reason, we must support this Motion. However, Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are aware that as far back as June 2005 when the Budget was read, indications were quite clear that there would be a drought in this country. In fact, it had started, not just last year, but in 2004. One, therefore, wonders - and this must go to the Executive arm - why we did not foresee the problems that would be associated with the drought conditions prevailing from the year 2004, 2005 to date. Therefore, part of this transfer of Development Expenditure to Recurrent Expenditure must be borne by the Ministry itself for not factoring in this problem. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other concern I have with these Supplementary Estimates, is simply because one of the major policy feelers of this Government is that we shall continue to try to create jobs. It, therefore, means that we are taking money meant for development projects; wealth creation areas and poverty eradication to consumption, where we do not produce wealth and jobs. Therefore, this affects our efforts in reducing employment, poverty and ensuring that the rice fields which have been lying idle in Kisumu Rural where Prof. Anyang'-Nyong'o comes from are rehabilitated. The genuine concern is that we are moving money from the poverty reduction efforts to consumption. Again, this must have been seen in advance. Why was this not factored in since it was a well known fact for two years? The Meterological Department was continuously telling us that there was going to be serious drought conditions, not only in Kenya, but throughout Eastern Africa. Why was this not factored in? Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I said earlier, the buck stops squarely on the planners and those in charge of the Budget within the various Ministries concerned. I also note that we are moving a substantial amount of funds from the National Assembly Vote to the Directorate of Personnel Management. I think we need to be explained to very clearly by the Minister what this means to the budget of Parliament? Is it as a result of savings within Parliament or as a result of not using the money in Parliament. Again, we must put this question squarely on the laps of the Clerk of the National Assembly. Why have we failed to spend this money in Parliament so that it has become necessary to transfer it from the Legislature to the Executive? Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not wish to belabour the point. I want to take account of the fact that this Motion must not last for more than three hours, but I hope, when replying, the Minister will explain to us which areas of development will be affected by this transfer of Kshs15.8 billion from the Development Vote to the Recurrent Vote. Secondly, we shall want to know, as hon. Members of the Legislature, which areas of Parliament will be affected by the transfer of Kshs324 million from the parliamentary vote to the Executive Vote. With those few remarks, I beg to support. April 25, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 643"
}