{"id":804925,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/804925/?format=json","text_counter":203,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"counties, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the National Government Affirmative Action Fund and the Equalization Fund. Let this Budget and the subsequent ones be the beginning of revitalization and finding common ground in the way we do things so that we can ensure inclusivity and together tackle the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Let us seize the present opportunity and support the President’s vision for the country and his resolve to weed out corruption and achieve high standards of governance. Hon. Speaker, at this point, I wish to thank His Excellency the President for the wise counsel and commitment to removing any blockages for the country to achieve its potential. I also wish to thank His Excellency the Deputy President, my Cabinet colleagues and Principal Secretaries for the support and co-operation throughout the preparation of this Budget. I share with my colleagues the collective responsibility of implementing this Budget. Our sincere thanks also go to you, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Speaker of the Senate, together with your respective Clerks, for facilitating the approval process of the Budget Estimates for Financial Year 2018/2019 and other Budget documents in Parliament. We also thank members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee led by the Chairman, Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, as well as the Departmental Committees of the National Assembly for their time and dedication in sifting through the Estimates, and for their constructive debate that helped refine the Budget. We thank the Leaders of the Majority Parties of both Houses, Hon. Aden Duale and Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, for the robust support of the Government economic agenda during the legislative debates. We also thank Members of the Finance and National Planning Committee led by the Chairman, Hon. Joseph Limo, and other Departmental Committees of the Senate for their constructive engagement on the Budget and financial matters. We thank all Members of the National Assembly and the Senate for their co-operation in facilitating legislative proposals in support of budget preparation and implementation. We also thank members of the Inter-governmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) for their support and co-operation in inter-governmental financial matters. My thanks also go to the management and staff of the National Treasury and Planning under the able leadership of Hon. Nelson Gaichuhie, the Chief Administrative Secretary, Dr. Kamau Thugge, the Principal Secretary, National Treasury and the Planning Permanent Secretary, Dr. Julius Muia, who have tirelessly worked long hours, including most weekends, to ensure that this Budget and supporting documents meet the legal deadline. We appreciate your deep commitment to public service. We also appreciate the management and staff of the Central Bank of Kenya and the Kenya Revenue Authority for their contributions. Our thanks also go to the staff from the Attorney General’s Office as well as staff of the Parliamentary Budget Office for providing support and insightful comments throughout the budgeting process. We also thank our bilateral and multilateral development partners as well as our private sector players for their contribution to our development agenda through their technical and financial support. I must also thank my family for their support and inspiration. Finally, my utmost gratitude goes to Kenyans from all walks of life for their contributions, proposals and suggestions received during the finalization of the Budget. I wish all Kenyans and persons who profess the Islamic faith a Happy Idd ul Fitr."}