Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 449294,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/449294/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 236,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Ganya",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 18,
        "legal_name": "Francis Chachu Ganya",
        "slug": "francis-ganya"
    },
    "content": "Therefore, I am glad that this aspect has been taken into account by the Budget and Appropriations Committee by ensuring that the Budget allocations of those Ministries which are not performing have been reduced. That is the only way we can send a very strong message to them – that they should use monies allocated to them. When funds are not utilised, it means that Kenyans have been denied critical resources. For that reason, we need to take a firm position as the National Assembly. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, on the excuse that has been given here about rigidity of the procurement law, it is true that there could be valid arguments but we should appreciate the fact that performing and non-performing Ministries operate under the same procurement law. How come some Ministries are able to function effectively and utilise their funds? There is more to it than the procurement law, which is said to be difficult and cumbersome. It is also about poor planning and poor managerial practices by some Ministries. Therefore, Parliament, and especially the Budget and Appropriations Committee, should take a strong stand on this particular issue, so that Kenyans can get the service that this nation is able to render. I also appreciate the focus that the Committee has given to some strategic investment in our country, including making huge investments in the standard gauge railway project, and in security. There is no way we can fight Al Shabaab,Al Qaida and other terror groups if we do not resource our security machinery. I wish our security agencies got more money. As we go forward, in order for us to fight all the existing local terror networks, we must resource our security organs in order for them to be effective in their work. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, also resource allocation to devolution has been enhanced. As a nation, we agreed to devolved services such as health, water, agriculture, livestock and youth polytechnics for some good reasons. We felt that this would be a strategic way of investing in the 47 counties and serve them better than we did before from a centralised planning. We can only achieve that objective if the counties are well resourced. I am glad to note that every year, the allocation to the counties increase. If there is need for us to amend the procurement law, the relevant Committee of the House should make an appropriate proposal to this House, so that those issues can be taken into consideration. If we are deliver services, the enabling laws need to be facilitative. As I conclude, I would like to appreciate the overall Budget, which has considered all the constituencies in terms of allocation to the centre of academic excellences, which were built through the Economic Stimulus Programme, as well as allocation to our village youth polytechnics. This is a move in the right direction. I hope that in future, constituencies will be considered as centres of planning and service delivery, just as counties are currently considered. With those remarks, I beg to support."
}