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{
    "id": 640367,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/640367/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 220,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Ndiema",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1067,
        "legal_name": "Henry Tiole Ndiema",
        "slug": "henry-tiole-ndiema"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Some of the requests do not relate to the Statement that was sought. Therefore, I may not be able to respond to them because I do not have the answers. Before I respond, I would like to clarify the position of my Committee on this matter. My Committee has discussed this matter and has gone to a conference in Naivasha, where we met all stakeholders and identified the timely distribution of fertilizer as being very important. The Ministry undertook to put a lot of effort to ensure that fertilizer is availed in time. Reading through this response from the Ministry, you can see some element of lamentation and frustration. They are lamenting that they are not getting adequate funds from the Exchequer. At times there is delay in Exchequer release, meaning that there is something that is not connecting well. Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo has asked why the money that was to be used in the provision of fertilizer was instead used to clear debts. The debts specified here also relate to fertilizer that was procured in the last financial year. This means that the Ministry had to use this year’s finances to clear those debts. It also means that the allocation for the procurement of fertilizer over the years has not been adequate. During the consultations that we had recently on the budget, my Committee recommended that the budget for the purchase of fertilizer be increased. We hope that the National Assembly will take this matter seriously. The exclusion of Senate by the National Assembly in allocating funds puts us in an awkward situation. We represent counties where farmers are and yet, we are not able to take action to rectify situations such as this. The National Assembly should ensure adequate funds to procure fertilizer. Therefore, the Kshs3.7 billion spent on pending bills was also in respect to fertilizer. On the issue of the allocation to Kapenguria, I believe that is with regard to the allocation for the short season. Perhaps, they were omitted in the short season. Kapenguria is catered for in the main season. As to whether or not the fertilizer is adequate, that is another matter that we can easily take. Some fertilizer has already arrived in the depots, although I must admit that it is late. There is a scramble for it and it is very uncomfortable. The Government should ensure procurement is done in good time. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}