{"id":685482,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/685482/?format=json","text_counter":115,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"As Members are aware, on Thursday, 21st April, 2016, I rose on a point of order seeking guidance from the Speaker on the manner of consideration and examination of audited reports of political parties as required by the Political Parties Act. It was suggested that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines the political parties’ audited accounts. Alternatively, the House or the Committee establishes a small committee to exclusively deal with the audited reports of the political parties, which I tabled the whole of last year and early this year. Even after your direction on 4th May, 2016 that PAC has a duty to the House to see that the political parties’ audited accounts are examined and reports tabled in the National Assembly for consideration, the Committee has not tabled any audited reports of political parties. I still feel that the matter regarding the examination of political parties’ audited accounts is very valid and important to this nation. In order for us to build a strong and accountable democracy, it is necessary that as political parties aspire for leadership, they account to the people of Kenya how they have used the resources they received from the taxpayers. Since last week, Members of this House have been receiving threats regarding membership fees to various political parties including Muungano Party, Chama Cha Uzalendo and KANU. They have sent letters to their members that they must pay their dues. Even as we contribute to our parties, it is important that the political parties’ audited accounts and their examination by this House are effectively expedited. This is because some of these parties are already receiving funds from the Political Parties Fund and yet they have not accounted for the money in their custody. I, therefore, request the Chair of the PAC to give priority to the examination and subsequent tabling of the reports on the audited accounts of political parties. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."}