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{
    "id": 842581,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/842581/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 199,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "“The Committee noted that the auditors had seen and verified the documents and recommends that the audit query be cleared.” The Committee then goes to the next issue and says “A house was bought for Ksh140 million. We have seen the documents and recommend that it be cleared.” Looking at the kind of sins in Kilifi County Auditor General’s Report for the Financial Year 2013/2014, if they are cleared, I do not know what any other governor would have done, in any kind of negative report that we will ever bring here. I cannot imagine what then would warrant a serious report.This is exactly the same thing that the county assembly has done. They will see the same report, ask the same questions and the governor has the answers. By the time we call the governor to the Senate, there is nothing different. There is no one who will ever come here shaking in their boots fearing that our questions will be deeper. For example, how is it that we can clear a query and not even make comments about the fact the governor went out and bought a house for Kshs140 million, and yet we have not even looked at the value for money? We have also not looked at whether it was a priority in the county at that time and that is the much it should have cost. The Committee’s recommendation is:- “Having considered and deliberated on the audit query extensively, the Committee recommends that the Senate clears the query.” The observation is that- (a) noted that the amount exceeded the mandated 10 per cent and it was sufficient that it was referred to the county assembly for approval of the reallocation; (b) found no fault and noted a lapse in the existing law noting that it was necessary to amend the Public Finance Management Act, specifically Section 154 2(b) Sen. M. Kajwang’ and Sen. Olekina, the dynamic duo at the CPAIC, we need to take our oversight to the next phase. We cannot be okay with the fact that Ksh43 million was used to refurbish an office. It cannot be on the record of this House one day that someone will come and say: “We recommended that this audit query be cleared and the governor should in future submit documents for audit verification.” Is that what Kenyans would feel about Ksh50 million being used to refurbish an office? Does it mean it was right just because one has receipts to show that it was done according to the rules? Madam Temporary Speaker, misappropriation of funds is not just stealing and putting them in your pockets; it is also using funds for the wrong reasons and going against the principles of Chapter 12 of the Constitution on Public Finance. When will we start looking at prudence? Is money being used prudently for the sake of the people? Madam Temporary Speaker, I think I will just sit down and ask my Whip to re- assign my Committees, so that I join the CPAIC or I will be going there as a friend. Let us have a thinking session. This mechanical process will go on and next year we will have the next report saying: “The documentation was later provided and the Committee advises that the Senate clears the audit query. In future usirudie makossa hayo .” The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}