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{
    "id": 863726,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/863726/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 213,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tigania West, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. John Mutunga",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13495,
        "legal_name": "John Kanyuithia Mutunga",
        "slug": "john-kanyuithia-mutunga"
    },
    "content": "Looking at the pending bills, as a country, we need to ask ourselves why ministries and other Government spending agencies do not prioritise payment of pending bills. Why does it happen? It is item number one in terms of what should be funded at the beginning of a financial year. What is the problem? It is by law. If the Constitution provides that pending bills need to be taken care of, why is that requirement not adhered to? Why are pending bills not settled? If you look at who owe these bills, you will see that some of them are Kenyan contractors. Some of them have participated in the development of this country. When we hold onto their money for so long, we impede their performance and, therefore, we drag them backwards instead of promoting their businesses and enabling them to become better people. The recommendations of this Committee have also specified actions on the various individuals who are supposed to act. However, one of the issues I wish to bring to the attention of the House is who actually acts on these recommendations. If it is the Committee on Implementation, how much has this Committee been doing so that we may also have reports that show us the progress that we are making as a country in terms of covering distance to ensure that we are able to address some of the issues that are raised by the Auditor-General and other issues that are raised in various fronts? The idea is that we need to have some of these issues resolved so that we may be able to move forward in a more responsible manner. It is important for us as a country, and for the accounting officers, to be a lot more responsible. This Report has quite a number of areas where issues are still pending. Several years down the line, issues are still pending. You wonder when these issues will be addressed. What will be the trigger mechanism to ensure that appropriate actions are taken? Responsibilities must be taken. When the Auditor-General issues a management letter, to what extent are these letters addressed? I am sure the Committee has looked at all this. They have looked at the details. Even as I support, I wish to commend the Committee. They have done a good job. They have highlighted the concerns that need to be raised for the various cost centres to be able to move in tandem with the requirements of the law and the Constitution of this country. With those remarks, I support the Motion."
}