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{
    "id": 91928,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/91928/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 298,
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    "content": "that the commercial outfit is not going to freeze the Government simply because they have a monopoly. There must be ways and means to check that, indeed, the price being charged for those currency notes is competitive. If we get that assurance--- If the Government can give that assurance and demonstrate that, indeed, the currency notes being procured from De La Rue, in which they have an equity interest, is comparable to prices if they procure the same from elsewhere, then I will be very comfortable! It should not be merely to say that De La Rue is there, we must put money there because we want to make sure that the money can be securely produced; we are encouraging local employment and other things. Those arguments have been given. I believe that the overriding factor is security and competitive pricing. So, if we can get that assurance from the Government, then I think we would be very comfortable. I also have an issue with the Consolidated Fund Services (CFS). There is an item which is in the Budget called Guaranteed Debt of Kshs1,183,000,000. It is not clear from the Minister’s presentation what it is. But, maybe, he will throw light on it when he will be replying. He should tell us what that item is. I was also a little uncomfortable with over Kshs1 billion that is being paid to Telkom Kenya. In fact, this is an item that appeared in the local media and there are questions being raised. When the privatization took place, the Government got a certain amount of money from whoever bought the licence. It looks like there were some issues that were left pending. Now ten years or so down the road, the Government should not be paying the person who actually paid us money to get the licence for the mobile telephone service. So, could he give us a justification as to why we should be paying ten years later, over Kshs1 billion to somebody who purports to have bought shares in Telkom? Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I just want to conclude by saying that the Committee found out that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance has behaved in a rather high handed manner, particularly in relation to the Ministry of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030. It was our observation; unfortunately the following Ministries fall under the mandate of our Committee: the Ministries of Finance, Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 and Industrialization. As we were analyzing this budget there seemed to be a disconnect between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030. The left hand did not seem to refer to the right hand, yet they belong to the same body. So, we would like to urge the Ministry of Finance that from the facts that we saw and even the way the budgets have been put together, it was quite evident that the Ministry of Finance was patronizing the Ministry of Planning; it was behaving like the big brother. So, could you put your act together so that each Ministry is given its rightful role, and so that one side of the body and the other side act in unison? With those few remarks, I would like to support the Ministry’s Vote."
}