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{
    "id": 800625,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/800625/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 185,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13156,
        "legal_name": "Mutula Kilonzo Jnr",
        "slug": "mutula-kilonzo-jnr"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to make a Statement under Standing Order 46 (2) of the Senate Standing Orders on the medical equipment received by Makueni County under the Medical Equipment Leasing Program (MELP). The MELP commenced three years ago or thereabouts, after a protracted and noisy debate between the national Government and the Council of Governors (CoG) on behalf of the 47 counties. I have attached a schedule of medical equipment received by Makueni County. While it is appreciated that our hospitals are not equipped, this scheme was a relief to Kenyans who had to travel long distances for dialysis, X-Rays, Ultra Sounds in the case of expectant mothers and many more. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, several issues have been bothering me and I would like the Finance and Budget Committee to interrogate them in detail. In the current Division of Revenue Act, 2018, we approved a retrospective increase of the 2017/2018 budget from Kshs4.5 billion to Kshs6.1 billion and Kshs9.4 billion on the Financial Year 2018/2019. Our efforts as the Committee on Finance and Budget to interrogate the reasons behind the increments have not borne fruit. It was understood - I stand corrected - that the scheme was for a period of seven years at a fixed sum of Kshs4.5 billion every year. It was understood that the said contract would include the cost of maintenance and repairs. From the schedule attached to this Statement, it is not clear whether spare parts are included. In any leasing contract, the lessor does not transfer title of the goods to the lessee. The lessor should be responsible for any repairs and replacements of parts. Any fee chargeable would be on actual use and not an estimate. At the end of the leasing, the leased equipment would revert to the lessor, amongst other conditions. The MELP is not clear on these aspects. It would benefit this Senate and the country for the Committee to conduct an audit and request for information from the relevant agencies on the following issues:- (a) the total cost of the MELP; (b) the leasing period; (c) a schedule of equipment delivered to each county and the status of their utilization; (d) the actual cost of each equipment at market rates; (e) the value assigned for the maintenance, repair and replacement; and; (f) the status of the said equipment after the leasing period."
}