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{
    "id": 455410,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/455410/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 207,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. M’uthari",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1576,
        "legal_name": "Joseph M'eruaki M'uthari",
        "slug": "joseph-meruaki-muthari"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Speaker. I rise to support this Budget on Supplementary Estimates. As I support it, there are certain areas in this Budget that we need to look at keenly so that they can be considered thereafter. We should look at different sectors, like food and security, which are very important. There are some situations that can be predicted in this Republic. It is important, in my opinion, that the Government speeds up the process of implementing high impact projects, like the already proposed irrigation projects. Even where there are no rivers, there could be constructed dams so that we can have irrigation and become food secure. These Estimates are full of Recurrent Expenditure. Every year, we put money aside to invest in those projects, but it is during the time of drought - like we have now - where people take advantage of poor people. In the Supplementary Budget, it is important that there is clarity as was proposed by the Chairman. What is proposed should be itemized. With the itemized budget, we can know exactly what is being funded. When things are not clear, it is a recipe for disaster. But we appreciate the fact that, within this Government, there has been allocation for things like the cash transfer programme for the disabled, the old and the vulnerable. It is important that the society and leaders take care of our people who are in need, or who need to be supported. It is for this reason that we should also safeguard the disabled and the weak among ourselves. That is the way we are able to respect our people. Therefore, as we look at this Supplementary Budget and even the Appropriation Bill, we should look into areas where we can invest. If we invest in sectors that have high impact, we can foresee some of the problems that we will encounter thereafter. There has been this talk about – and many hon. Members have said it – how we put a lot of money in the last Budget for the county governments when they were not prepared. Although they are asking for more money, there is a lot of money that has not been spent. When you look at their expenditure and the various reports that have been received from the Auditor-General and Controller of Budget, most of the money is being spent on Recurrent Expenditure, travel, allowances and things like that. While the sectors that we need to invest in have not been factored in the Budget, it is for that reason that the Supplementary Budget should set aside money to fund KERRA, KURA and REA, 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."
}