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{
    "id": 647475,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/647475/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 387,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Bill that has been tabled before this House without any proposed amendments. In Section 5 of the Bill, if the actual revenue raised nationally in a fiscal year falls short of the expected revenue set out in the schedule, the shortfall shall be borne by the national Government to the extent of the threshold prescribed in regulations by the Cabinet Secretary. This year, for instance, already as at December, the shortfall is up to Kshs65 billion. The shortfall will go up to even Kshs100 billion by June this year. The national Government will have to bear that from their share of revenue. That cannot be passed on as per the provisions of this proposed Bill. It should not be passed on to the county governments. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, similarly in the unlikely event that the national Government raises more revenue than is proposed or anticipated in this Bill, the excess accrues to the national Government, but they have to use it specifically to reduce borrowing or paying debts of its share of revenues as part of its share of revenue raised nationally. Then, of course, Clause 6 as always is the case in this Division of Revenue Bill cautions against rushing if there is any dispute regarding any provision of this Act, division of revenue matter or allocation. Before approaching a court to resolve such dispute, every effort should be made to settle the dispute with the concerned State organ. The Intergovernmental Technical Committee provides for alternative mechanisms to resolve disputes. If they do not, then Clause 6(2) and (3) provide for penalties against those institutions. That is the main part of the Bill. On page seven is the memorandum which explains allocations to the national Government and the county governments. It provides explanation on what those items mean. For instance, on the conditional grants on page nine, it explains what conditional grants in support of free maternity healthcare of Kshs4.1 billion mean. It means money to be transferred to the county governments on reimbursement basis through a respective county revenue fund upon confirmation that the county government has provided maternal healthcare service. That is an important point that people always miss, especially the counties. They have to provide the service then they get reimbursed. That is the concept. There is the leasing of medical equipment. This is explained. It has been there before. We are giving Level 5 hospitals support because they serve a number of regions. Then, of course, we have compensation and also foregone user fees. All of them are explained. The one on development has been there before, but again, the amount has reduced. Last year, conditional allocations relating to the loans and grants received from development partners was Kshs10.7 billion. This year it is Khs3.8 billion. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, some of the donor financed projects have been completed. They were included in the previous financial year and the current financial year, but have since been wound up. That is why the amount is low. On page 11, there is the evaluation of the Bill against Article 203 which is a requirement. The Members can look at how the provisions of Article 203 have been complied with. This is especially in regard to the national interest. The national interest is explained clearly on page 13. It must be critical to the achievement of the country’s economic development and 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"
}