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{
    "id": 622826,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/622826/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 247,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Onyura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12833,
        "legal_name": "Michael Aringo Onyura",
        "slug": "michael-aringo-onyura"
    },
    "content": "fairly reasonably with those fees and in some cases, they raised the fees. There is a lot of money that is floating in the county governments. We expect the Office of the Controller of Budget to go into that and look at areas of weakness that need better control and areas where there are loopholes that are being misused and abused by those entrusted with the offices, so that as we keep moving, devolution meets the expectations of Kenyans. All of us support devolution and we would like to see it work. It ought to work because it has worked in other places. We want to make sure that systems are in place and developed. We will, of course, make mistakes as we go on, but we learn from those mistakes and strengthen the systems. I look at the Office of the Controller of Budget as partly the ears, eyes and the nose of the National Assembly. As we appropriate money to the various organs of the State, we would like to have somebody who can see for us what is happening, so that we can know. It is a good thing that the Bill expects this office to be submitting quality quarterly reports in various forms to this House for us to know what is happening to the funds appropriated to the various institutions. I have also noted that this is an independent and constitutional office with a clear tenure of office given by the Constitution. The office has tenure of office of eight years. I want to encourage holders of this office to realise they are independent and have tenure of office. They should not allow themselves to be pressurised, intimidated or directed because the Constitution protects them. This House can also protect them. They should not work under pressure from any quarters. I have looked at the section that deals with offences and it says that anybody that intimidates, threatens or makes it difficult for this office to operate commits an offence for which they could be charged or even imprisoned for up to two years. The holders of this office should know that they are an independent office. They should act accordingly using the powers and protection given by this Act. I am happy the Bill allows this office not only to look at the expenditure, but to also review right from the time of Estimates. It is expected that various levels of Government would discuss their Estimates with the Controller of Budget to ensure that everything is put in place and is effective right from the time of planning and Estimates. That is a good provision. It should not just be looked at, at some advanced stage, but they are engaged at the various levels right from the preparing of Estimates."
}