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{
    "id": 875927,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/875927/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 250,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kathiani, WDM-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Robert Mbui",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1750,
        "legal_name": "Robert Mbui",
        "slug": "robert-mbui"
    },
    "content": "to play oversight and ensure that public funds are properly utilised and no money is lost. As we discuss these issues, it is good to point out… I read a report in the media which is very interesting because suddenly when it comes to bad things happening in the constituencies, they are named after the Member. Suddenly Kathiani Constituency becomes Robert Mbui and the things you see and hear are to do with theft. They will say MPs have fleeced, raided and stolen. We need to set the record straight. What is the role of MPs in the NG-CDF? There is a law that has been passed in this House and it is operational and very clear: We are only involved in identifying the projects that will be funded by the public funds. We are also involved in probably pushing for funds from the NG-CDF Board to go to the grassroots and support those projects. Finally, we are supposed to have a committee to oversee how these funds are spent. It is also important for the media to understand, if there is loss of funds they should note that it is not the MPs because we are not implementing agencies of the NG-CDF. Looking at this Report, I have read the one on Kisumu Central and the rest. Some of the issues raised are pertinent. However, we need to figure out who is to blame for these things. I have seen issues to do with delay in giving records of expenditure by the project management committees. The money of the NG-CDF is implemented through the NG-CDFC which gives money to project management committees which afterwards implement the projects. When the project management committees are given funds they are supposed to account for it. So, it is important that we point out if there is a delay from the project management committees. Why is it happening? So we can address it because it is one of the issues, I have noted. The other issue is about bursaries. I have heard a lot of issues and audit queries concerning bursaries. In some of our constituencies, bursaries are given to over 10,000 recipients. There is so much problem that it is difficult to say we will help so-and-so and leave so-and-so. The whole village stands up and everyone says all of them have problems. If you ask them to identify those who have problems, all of them put up their hands. So, your hands are tied because this is a kitty that is supposed to help the needy and now the auditors come and they want to see receipts from 10,000 recipients. If somebody was given a cheque which they took to a school and they have not brought a receipt, the fund manager and the Member of Parliament are guilty of an offence. We need to call a spade a spade. As the auditors are doing this, they need to know if there is a record that was prepared at the grassroots that identified the receipts. Were the cheques released to them? A receipt from the school to the NG-CDF means we have to stop coming to this House, go back to the grassroots and chase our head teachers. Some of the students of Kathiani are in a school in Mombasa. Some are in schools in Kisumu. Will we go to Kisumu to talk to teachers and get receipts? I think it is important that we note these things."
}