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{
    "id": 729812,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/729812/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 81,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Musyimi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 95,
        "legal_name": "Mutava Musyimi",
        "slug": "mutava-musyimi"
    },
    "content": "in the necessary flexibility of the new Government. We all hope that that Government will be led by President Uhuru Kenyatta. The Committee is pleased to note that over the last five years, the National Treasury has improved substantially in ensuring that adequate information is presented to this House for purposes of approving the Budget. However, in some instances, some of the information that is provided is still inadequate. For example, though the National Treasury provided a memorandum which gives an explanation of deviations from the National Assembly Budget Policy Statement (BPS) resolutions, they did not provide adequate explanation on why they did not adhere to some of these resolutions. I wish to remind this honourable House that when we passed the BPS Report in December last year, we committed to reducing the fiscal deficit to 6 per cent. Over the last few years, the Government’s fiscal strategy has been quite expansionary with most of the expenditure geared towards infrastructure investment. This has contributed to a significant increase in the country’s debt levels. If the increasing debt is not put to check, it will continue to create inflexibility in the Budget and reduce the resources available for both the present and future generations. This debt matter, though adequately addressed by the President in this House, is something that we should always put our fingers on so that we do not overspend. It is also important to note that as the Government continues to focus on infrastructure investment, other key productive sectors of the economy, particularly mining and agriculture requires new impetus in thinking, creativity and imagination. As we have said before, the kind that we have seen in education under the leadership of Dr. Matiang’i. I also wish to point out that Public Private Partnership Programme (PPP) which has been in place for the last few years has not been captured in the estimates of expenditure. The PPP projects carry the risk of becoming contingent liabilities and will one day put a claim on the nation’s revenue. If we are not careful, this could be a ticking bomb. In finalising the last Budget, my Committee recommended that PPP projects should be audited and verified. We reiterate yet again, that audit and verification of PPP projects be done for accountability and monitoring purposes. Given the significance of development expenditure in driving economic growth and performance, my Committee is concerned by the large number of key development projects competing for limited resources. This has led to thin distribution of the resources that are available. These projects though important in unlocking development are sometimes being implemented rather thinly and at a rate whose completion is below what is acceptable. My Committee notes with concern that this Budget is anchored on economic growth projections of more than 6 per cent in 2017. As already observed, being an election year, there are inherent risks that may hinder economic growth of these proportions, particularly with regard to investor confidence. Furthermore agricultural performance is still largely tied to the rain and given the on-going drought as well as uncertainty with regard to adequate amounts of this year’s rainfall; output is unlikely to increase significantly enough to drive the desired growth. Some key capital projects have also been delayed and the benefits may therefore not be felt in the coming financial year. As we seek our new mandate, we need to give some hope to Kenyans, to not only improve the economy but also create peace and hope, especially among our young people. I therefore through you humbly implore and encourage; and take this opportunity to urge my honourable colleagues to engage in peaceful campaigns and to uphold the image of a united country, though an elections period. In reviewing this Budget, my Committee received a lot of 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."
}