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{
    "id": 297221,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/297221/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 263,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Githae",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Finance",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 159,
        "legal_name": "Robinson Njeru Githae",
        "slug": "robinson-githae"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I am saying this, and I have the recommendations here. I am saying when, for example, you have 4 per cent reduction in current grants to Government agencies across the board, if I were to implement this recommendation, in effect then, I have to reduce the CDF and the LATF. However, these are based on another Act of Parliament which gives the amounts. So, unless that law is, again, changed then you have a problem. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is what I would like to say. We have had a very wonderful working relationship with the Budget Committee and the Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning and Trade. I give my own undertaking that the recommendations of the Committee will be taken into account when we are preparing the Appropriations Bill. This is simply an advance to the Government. We still have another opportunity. If I have not taken into account your recommendations when it comes to the Appropriation Bill, hon. Members, you will have an opportunity to hold me to account. You will also have an opportunity to interogate me. We even have another opportunity in the Finance Bill which is coming. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are saying that the consequences of us not passing this Vote on Account are drastic. It means that come 1st July, the Government will shut down and nothing will operate. Is that the risk you want to take? Already, we have heard the Deputy Leader of Government Business say that because we have not passed the Public Financial Management Bill he will not bring the Motion on Adjournment, and that he will do it on Tuesday. We cannot afford to risk a government shut-down. That is the point I am making. If there was time, we are supposed to resume back, if the Motion goes through, on 24th July. By that time, if we would not have passed the Public Financial Management Bill there will only be three days left. If anything happens within those three days then it means we will not have the Public Financial Management Bill. This, therefore, means that we will have to revert back to the old law. It also means that we cannot ask for another extension because the Constitution talks of only one extension. For all these reasons, I am really begging and requesting Members of this House. We have had a wonderful working relationship and we trust each other. I am asking you to trust me and I give you my undertaking that I will incorporate all the recommendations of the Budget Committee. I will do that."
}