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{
    "id": 298091,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/298091/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 60,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Ogindo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 120,
        "legal_name": "Martin Otieno Ogindo",
        "slug": "martin-ogindo"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the budget-making process is a very important exercise in this House. The whole country is looking upon Parliament on how it will appropriate the funds. There are procedures that have been spelt out in the Constitution, in the legislation and in the Standing Orders. It is required that this House approves the Printed Estimates. At this point in time this House is in possession of scattered pieces of paper that it is expected to put together to form the Printed Estimates. Some of these were done just yesterday. It is important that this House moves with certainty knowing how much the total budget is. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you will recollect that previously, this House approved the Vote on Account. The Vote on Account figure is regulated by the Constitution under Article 222. It says that the Vote on Account must not exceed a total of one half of the amount included in the Estimates of expenditure for the year, that have been tabled in the National Assembly. The Minister came here with the Vote on Account figure. At this point in time, this House is not seized of the total amount of the budget. So, we know the Vote on Account but we do not know that it is 50 per cent of what. It is very fundamental that this House does not engage in any unconstitutionality. If we approved a figure that is in excess of 50 per cent of the total Estimates, that is unconstitutional. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you realize that the Appropriation Bill is now seeking further authority for withdrawal of the balance. This House needs to be clear in its mind that what we did was right. The only way this House can be clear in its mind is if it has the consolidated Printed Estimates. We have moved a long way and I would want to ask the Minister to kindly consider withdrawing this Bill, so that consolidated Printed Estimates can be brought to this House and we will be back in business as requested by this House."
}