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{
    "id": 607147,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/607147/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 236,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Elachi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13115,
        "legal_name": "Beatrice Elachi",
        "slug": "beatrice-elachi"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I also rise to support this Motion and also support the sentiments from the Senators for Makueni and Kitui counties. Indeed, this is a very important document that we must critically look at, analyze and come out with recommendations that can also guide the Treasury as they move on with their work. When you look at the Budget Policy Statement (BPS), you will find that there are many issues that we need to raise. For example, if we are talking about devolution in this country, then one of the first things we need to fast track as the Senate, is to ask the Government to ensure that the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) sector is working. You find that the ICT docket in Government is put in every ministry and, therefore, in terms of monitoring, you will never understand where the ICT money is. That is maybe one thing that is within the counties. When we talk about capacity building, we wonder how we support our counties to ensure that everything goes digital and there is automation. We now have the issue of Narok and this has come about because of resources and lack of a better way of collecting those resources. Narok has done its best to have a semi-manual way of collecting revenue, which is also better than the other counties that have really ignored that. The BPS also comes out clearly and gives us five pillars that they talk about. Within those five pillars, the Government anticipates or wishes to ensure that this is what they will give Kenyans. But when you look at those pillars, the challenges that you face, for example, in the roads sector, you find that there is a lot that the Government has talked about. But when you look at the sustainability of the same, it is going to be a very tall order especially when we talk of those roads. We have to ask ourselves whether the Government will have money, looking at our external and domestic debts. I think they should go back to the drawing board, relook at it and ensure that it is realistic for Kenya. If it is roads, if we say we want to see 2000 kilometres, it will be so. We should not start a project and then in the middle of it, we face challenges. When you look at the BPS itself, last year, when we were nearing December, we had a deficit of Kshs48 billion. This means that we must relook at many of these things. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we are proud of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, but what we are saying is that it will be very important for Treasury to tell us 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."
}