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{
    "id": 693832,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/693832/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 711,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "On the question of refurbishment of Karson House and the letter on page 251 and the subsequent letters, we can confirm that there was some form of tendering done for those works. However, the issue as raised by the Auditor-General was the prudence, the value for money factor. First of all, the award letter on page 253 is for Kshs14 million, but the total expenditure applied was Kshs29 million plus. Therefore there is a doubling of the expense initially awarded. Secondly, in response to the question of whether these funds included the rent, there is annexed to our documents a copy of the lease. It is found on page 255 of the County Assembly Document Volume III. You will see that in the terms and conditions, the mutual covenant to the parties to that lease it is not provided that the sum of monies expended for renovation would then be credited to be applied to pay rent. There is no provision saying that the amount of Kshs29 million that we have expended to renovate this private building can now be credited to reduce or to obviate the obligation to pay rent. In simple speak, we were renovating and also paying rent for the same building. That is why there is an Auditor-General Prudence inquiry that has also been picked by the County Assembly of Nyeri as an issue which we consider gross and an impeachment matter. On the issue of the dates of non-remittance of statutory deductions, Counsel will confirm the particular period, but we are also not sure who awarded this award that was alleged to have been given. We were not told, but that is a matter we shall also seek to confirm and clarify from the witnesses. Let me turn to the issue raised by Senator Sijeny on public participation. We can confirm that there was public notification by way of media notices. We announced through local radio that there was a Motion before the Assembly. If you look at the County Assembly Document Volume III, page 725-739, we announced through the local radio called Rware FM that broadcasts in the Kikuyu language for better and greater reach. There was also an announcement on Kameme FM . In fact, subsequent to those announcements, some forms of responses were made by certain citizens which you will find on page 727-739. There was, therefore, public participation and those who heard those announcements and were concerned about the matter made a response and to make their opinion heard in that regard. On the issue of the Governors health, we are not able to comment on that since it is a very personal issue. However, statutorily and constitutionally, the Governor---"
}