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{
    "id": 777184,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/777184/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 145,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "February 28, 2018 SENATE DEBATES 21 Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to make a few remarks because of the time. Hon. Senators, if we do not critique the reports brought before us, we might end up handing over our airport to the Chinese because we will not pay our debts. It is imperative that as Senators we play our role here in protecting the interest of county governments. Where it is wrong, we raise concerns. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are unable to live within our limits in this country because of our desire to borrow. In most counties, businesses are collapsing. The amount of unpaid bills is worrisome. Mr. Speaker, Sir, these counties overestimate or overstate their collections. They either do that intentionally so that they can show that they have a lot in their budget or there is a lot of laziness in terms of collecting revenue from the counties. It is important that when we look at this Budget Policy Statement (BPS), we try and focus on how our county governments can improve on local revenue collections. Earlier on, the nominated Senator alluded to our assets and liabilities. When you look at the Auditor General’s Report or the Controller of Budget’s Report, the amount of assets listed to generate revenue for counties is not what they end up getting. So, I want to reiterate that we must ensure that all the unpaid pending bills have been captured in the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). A lot of businessmen, youth, women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) who have been given contracts by county governments are not paid; when they go and claim their money, their details are not found in their systems. It is important that when we look at the BPS as Senators, we must interrogate it and ask questions like: How is this going to benefit my constituents? Unless we do that, we are just going to be reduced to voting machines and rubberstamps. So, I want to encourage the Majority Side that even though this Bill has been brought in the last minute and we must vote for it, it is imperative that we become patient by listening and interrogating the document. Otherwise, very soon in our lifetime, this country will be divided and sold to other countries so that we are able to pay our debts. It saddens me when I hear that every year when a child is born; they come in owing this country, the Chinese mostly, over Kshs100, 000."
}