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{
    "id": 515810,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/515810/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 105,
    "type": "other",
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    "content": "the consequences if we do not pursue a particular path. It is not for the Speaker or for the Senate, but for whoever is responsible; that should be dealt with. Hon. Senators, as far as I am concerned, we have always done our bit in terms of communicating that information and that is why we have given you as much. Whoever ignores one House knows what will happen. Sen. (Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o, there is only one Parliament of the Republic of Kenya. However, for avoidance of doubt, there is only one national Parliament, which is defined under Article 93(1). It reads:- “There is established a Parliament of Kenya, which shall consist of the National Assembly and the Senate.” Article 1 of the Constitution gives us the same power in terms of Legislature as Parliament and the county assemblies. That is why you will find that in Article 229, the Auditor-General is required to give the reports to Parliament or to the relevant county assemblies. At the national level, our functions are clearly defined. Article 95 deals with the national accounts while Article 96 deals with county accounts. That is why we have Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale’s led Committee to deal with county accounts. Then we have the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), in the National Assembly to deal with accounts of line Ministries. That is how we have done our division of labour. That mandate or division has never been contested, so far. It should remain that way, and it must go that way, whatever happens. The source of that information is the same office of the Auditor-General. So, if that office does not produce the audits, it will affect the PAC of the National Assembly’s, our County Public Accounts and Investments Committee and the Budget and Appropriations Committees of the county assemblies. So, we are talking about a matter affecting the entire legislatures in the Republic of Kenya at both levels of government. It is a serious matter that deserves the kind of attention that we are trying to give it. I will treat the World Bank report as just your comment because I have mine and they are different. So, I do not want to make a determination. I do not think that we can stop any entity from making some analysis of a document. It might just be how we allocated resources. What you are requesting is for another entity to analyze those expenditures in an itemized manner. As far as I am concerned, it was World Bank report that was made. It may have challenges like any other, but it is a step in the right direction. Regarding severe sanctions, other ideas of whether to get independent auditors, the need for the arms of Government to work together - and I had already said that audit support maybe extended by the Senate. We will look at the HANSARD for all your contributions and suggestions made. I think that they are very good in terms of engaging the offices and the House owning the entire process which is very evident now and then; engaging others in the same. In conclusion, we should not as an oversight entity try to wish away any other institution. I have heard people talk about getting rid of the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA), if it is giving ceilings. Then what do we get after that? When the Controller of Budget makes a report; we want to get rid of that office. We cannot work like that as a country. If the Senate tells you to come to account; you say: “Get rid of the Senate.” When the National Assembly asks you to account, you say: “Get rid of the National Assembly.” That is not how we will proceed as a nation. We must allow each 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."
}