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{
    "id": 797500,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/797500/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 177,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Mbarire",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 78,
        "legal_name": "Cecily Mutitu Mbarire",
        "slug": "cecily-mbarire"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to that of my colleagues’ in support of this Bill. Let me begin by thanking the BAC under the able leadership of the Chairman, Hon. Ichung’wah, and the entire membership for a job well done. We have been told that the reason the Supplementary Budget is coming this time is to take care of the shortfall that has been occasioned by low revenue collection by KRA. We also have issues of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). We have had job evaluations in the Civil Service and, therefore, there will be need to add the money. My only concern is the rationale behind this money being spent. I would be happier if I was reading that this money is being spent on development. My reading of Article 223 of the Constitution is that money spent under this particular provision should be money of a real felt need, of an emergency nature or unforeseen nature, but more importantly one being used on Development Expenditure. If we were here today being told the reason we are passing this particular Budget is to pass monies meant to take care of the floods that we are witnessing all over the country, of the food challenges due to these floods and the long drought that we had before the rains, I would be happier. However, when the Chairman of BAC, and I want to really thank the Committee, tells us that it is money to pay for school land —Kshs1.5 billion already paid out without evidence of the real owners of that land—I feel that this House must say no to that kind of spending. We cannot be used to sanitise an illegality that has already taken place. So, I urge the Committee on Lands, led by Hon. Rachel Nyamai, to do a proper job in ensuring that they probe this particular issue and give us a report as soon as possible. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I hope that the Departmental Committee on Lands will ensure that they are not used in any way to sanitise this payment and that they will do that which is right that the Budget and Appropriations Committee has done because we know the truth. As the President said yesterday, we must live it. Every Kenyan must know it is no longer business as usual and people will be held accountable for the things they do."
}