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{
    "id": 553498,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/553498/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 52,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Otucho",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12837,
        "legal_name": "Mary Emaase Otuch",
        "slug": "mary-emaase-otuch"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Speaker. I rise to second the Motion. The budget is the most important economic policy tool for any government. Through budgeting, the Government is able to translate its policies and political commitments into implementable development agenda, which has a direct impact on the livelihoods and wellbeing of Kenyans. The role of Parliament is to ensure that as resources are allocated, not only are they utilized prudently and efficiently, but also that priority is given to areas which are likely to have the most positive impact on the lives of Kenyans. This is the third Budget to be processed by the 11th Parliament. In the previous Budgets, this House was able to assert itself in its oversight role by instituting austerity measures and adjusting expenditure proposals to ensure that the Budget reflects the wishes of the people. This year, the Budget and Appropriations Committee has worked closely with the Departmental Committees to ensure that given the resource constraints, funding is allocated to high-priority areas that are likely to have the greatest impact. In line with the Constitution, the public was also given an opportunity to give their recommendations on the Executive’s Budget proposals, which have been incorporated in this Report. During the review of the Budget, the Committee was concerned to note that various Ministries do not own the targets and outputs written in the Budget Estimates and could not report on the status of their performance. Indeed, during consultations with the Departmental Committees, many Ministries presented entirely different targets from those reflected in the Executive Budget proposals. This raises a serious question on how involved the line Ministries are in the preparation of their own budgets and limits the National Assembly from properly executing its oversight role since there is no continuity in the Budget. It is my hope that the National Treasury will take steps to remedy this situation and ensure that each Ministry owns its budget."
}