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"id": 396363,
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"content": "Assembly of Makueni had capacity to alter the budget that was presented by the Executive. In terms of capacity building as one of the recommendations, it appears to be a problem which was not contemplated by the law because the county executive member may be a professional in the budget making process or a person familiar with accounting issues, but the county assembly might not have a similar capacity in terms of budget making. Therefore, in terms of capacity building, it is my view that in trying to build the capacity of both the county assembly and the executive, we should think of a recommendation to make sure that the county assembly and the county government prepare this budget estimates in consultation in order to avoid the disputes that we have seen before. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to recommendation No.5, in the case of reconciling the county executive and the county assembly, I propose that as the Senate, we should find a method to have a law which is not a proposal in the similar nature of reconciling the county executive and county assembly. It must be made mandatory that the county executive and the county assembly must work in consultation with one another, particularly on matters involving the Budget. The disagreements that I have seen, particularly in the County of Makueni have got very little to do with the Budget, but something a little more personal. That is something that most likely the Controller of Budget cannot handle. It is evident from the report that was made by the Committee in so far as Turkana is concerned, that the operation of IFMIS is absolutely necessary, mandatory and, in fact, too late. I propose that this management system should be put in place immediately and as quickly as possible because it is possible that some of the counties have already committed errors. I dare submit that some of the county executives are going to face the law sooner than later for conducting themselves in contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to agree with Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale on the proposal that either this recommendation or alternatively the HANSARD of this session be sent to all the county executives immediately this Motion is passed, so that they can understand that, first, they are not a law unto themselves. Secondly, they cannot do what they like. Thirdly, when they go against the law, the law will catch up with them and most likely they will be sent to jail or be charged in court as is provided in the County Government Act. In conclusion, this report is extremely timely because, in the case of the County of Makueni, there has been no action, no development; and protests have been the order of the day for the last six months. The county is stuck and we cannot move. People are quarrelling and yet the law is clear on what is supposed to happen. As we continue playing our oversight role as the Senate, perhaps, there is a question we must ask: The person of the office of the Controller of Budget is running from pillar to post in every county, attempting to reconcile all these people in terms of their budgets. Perhaps, it is time to consider an amendment to the law and see whether these functions can be delegated in some form or offices set up in every county so that at the time these budgets are being prepared by the executive and the county assemblies, they should follow the law at the first instance instead of what we have in place now, where The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}