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{
    "id": 444590,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/444590/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 294,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Kanyua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 981,
        "legal_name": "Priscilla Nyokabi Kanyua",
        "slug": "priscilla-nyokabi-kanyua"
    },
    "content": "Thank you hon. Speaker. I serve in the Budget and Appropriations Committee, and so feel very happy that we have come to this point in terms of the Budget process. A lot of hours have gone into considering it. As I support the Appropriation Bill, let me note, as other Members have done, that the small deficit in financing of 17 billion is not to worry anybody. This is the biggest Budget in our history. So, Kshs17 billion that could not be factored in at the last moment should not be a worry at this point in time. Last year, the Committee had a very good measure of cutting the budgets on travel, advertising and hospitality by 30 per cent as an austerity measure. If we had done that this year, the Kshs17 billion would have been recovered. We think that this austerity measure is important; every time we look at our budgets--- We have very big delegations going to other countries. You go to negotiate with another country which has five representatives; the Kenyan Government will normally have about 30 people. When we reduce that budget by 30 per cent we take a measure that helps save money. So, there nothing to worry about in terms of the 17 billion. As we proceed with the Budget, I also want to note and it is important for us, as the peoples’ representatives, to appreciate the roles that we have. The relationship between citizens and their Government is nothing but money. The relationship we have with the Kenya Government is nothing but the taxes that we pay to it. As we sit here to pass the Appropriation Bill and the Budget, we are actually serving our country and confirming that, indeed, Government money is our money. We are putting together priorities for our people, which is what the Constitution allows us to do. If you look at public participation this year, it is really to be celebrated that we have funds to use in public hearings. A lot of times we go out to Budget hearings, many citizens come and they have different priorities that need to be funded. This particular year, there is an allocation that will go into public hearings; this is actually to be celebrated. On the Ministries and Departments, I think it is also good that they have given us a very lean list of core areas that they want funded. That should be appreciated and, indeed, encouraged, so that we do not have a long shopping list. Every Ministry should not come to us with a shopping list. What we should have are key priorities, a few things that each Ministry can do in one year; those are the things that will get funding. On Treasury and Sector hearings, I think that also is to be appreciated; we continue to really appreciate the work that our Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich is doing at the National Treasury. I think he is one of our finest Cabinet Secretaries and we are very proud of the work he is doing, including what he has done with Euro bonds. That is The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}