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{
    "id": 85763,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/85763/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 374,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Langat",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to support this Motion. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I support the Motion, I want to mention that this is basically a Motion that should not have come here, because the law is very clear. This is going to set a bad precedence to this House because any time Ministers fail to follow the law, then we are supposed to move a Motion. I think every Minister and Ministry for that matter is not above the law. They must follow the law in the manner in which it is written and the spirit in which it is required. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Finance in this country does not own the money that it gives out. It belongs to the people of Kenya. They are only the custodians of that money. When we are voted to this House, being the representatives of the owners of that money, then the Ministry of Finance has no business trying to shortchange Kenyans. The Ministry of Finance must disburse the funds to the people of Kenya in their constituencies according to the CDF arrangement. It is unfortunate that arrears have piled up to Kshs1.6 billion, which roughly translates into almost Kshs8 million per constituency if we assume equal distribution. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is unfortunate that despite the fact that the Minister has not sent the money as required by the law, he has also refused to appear before the Committee. Actually, that is what this House must refuse. I think the relevant Committee must apply the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act. If he refuses to appear more than three times, he should be dealt with. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the House also should be watchful of the Ministry of Finance in terms of the Bills it brings to the House. We are going to sanction the Minister if he does not release the money with immediate effect. I do not know what immediate effect means; I think we should have been more specific to say that within two weeks the money should be disbursed to our constituencies. The same Ministry, during budgeting, spends a lot of airtime trying to pass a very good budget which is not subsequently implemented. The Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) has stalled in all the constituencies because the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance. The Minister has not allocated money towards that programme despite promising the House during the last Budget that the money we voted would be allocated to ESP. I think that this Ministry is practicing impunity. I have heard many hon. Members talking about the new Constitution and saying that we are in a second Republic, among other things. All those hopes of hon. Members and of other Kenyans may not see the light of day if the same Ministers we have today are the same ones who will be taking up the new positions. In terms of devolution, I am sure that the law says that 15 per cent of our revenue earnings should be devolved to counties. This situation may just be the same as the one we are in if the same Members take up the same positions. Therefore, I would like to support this Motion and request the Minister to send the money within two weeks."
}