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    "id": 607118,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/607118/?format=api",
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    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to move a bit faster and I will go to the Public Administration and International Relations sector. Again our observations there on foreign relations are well laid out. On the national security and vehicle leasing on page 20, the Committee observed that the Government intends to lease 800 motor vehicles in the next financial year and an additional 500 vehicles annually after that over the medium term to facilitate mobility and enhance security operations. However, it is important to note that there is no adequate leasing policy regarding these leases of motor vehicles. It is important that they put a policy in place to guide how that whole operation of leasing of motor vehicles and their maintenance will be carried out. Particularly, we have seen concerns about fueling and servicing especially in far flung areas of this country. The Committee also observed that this financial year, there was a provision for leasing 2,700 vehicles. However, the process of leasing those vehicles has not started. On roads, the Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation also considered the BPS and they noted a number of issues. I will not go into details because the information is provided for on page 21. For example, the Committee observed that the ongoing construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) - which will soon reach Nairobi within the medium term - according to current financial year, phase two was to cover the line up to Malaba. The Committee noted that, actually, the BPS does not contain any specific pronouncement on the second phase of the SGR, which ideally should be envisioned in the medium term in the BPS so as to remove potential bottlenecks once phase one is completed. Lastly, I now move on to the recommendations of the Committee, which are on page 22. The Committee recommends that this House pronounces itself on the critical policy matters which are identified in the BPS. These are as follows:- All the relevant spending agencies of the Government should provide a clear framework to enable counties access pharmaceutical products from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). We have a situation where some counties access while others do not have access. It has become arbitrary because some people are buying it from their own within counties. There is need to address that issue. The second recommendation is to demarcate and enhance the allocation for research in the health sector. This is very important. The need to institute curriculum reform in health care training so as to match the training of health care personnel requirements in the market including, of course, the additional personnel who may be required for the modern medical equipment that are being leased for hospitals. The criteria for direct cash disbursements to disadvantaged groups such as the older persons, orphans and persons living with disabilities. That criteria which was developed by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Services should be subjected to parliamentary approval so that we can have a chance to interrogate and ensure that there is equitable allocation of resources in that area. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have mentioned earlier, the fact that the future BPSs needs to come in early. 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."
}