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{
    "id": 927704,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/927704/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 231,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kipipiri, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Amos Kimunya",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 174,
        "legal_name": "Amos Muhinga Kimunya",
        "slug": "amos-kimunya"
    },
    "content": " Hon. Speaker, I am glad the Leader of the Majority Party has raised this matter because it has been disturbing me. When did we get this practice of a Division of Revenue Bill being introduced in the Senate and a parallel Bill being introduced in the National Assembly, so that we have two Bills running concurrently and then they swap? We are not even sure which one takes precedence over the other. In checking with colleagues, it appears that there was this misunderstanding in the reading of Article 218. For the benefit of the House, Article 218 says that, at least, two months before the end of each financial year, there shall be introduced in Parliament (a) the Division of Revenue Bill and (b) a County Allocation of Revenue Bill. Somebody seems to think that because Parliament includes Senate, the two Bills should be introduced concurrently in both Houses. As you look at this, I would like you to look at Article 218 against Articles 93, 95 and 96. Article 93 is what establishes Parliament and defines Parliament as consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate. Most importantly, it also says the National Assembly and Senate shall perform their respective functions in accordance with this Constitution. Article 95 defines the role of the National Assembly and specifically mentions at 95(4) that the National Assembly shall determine the allocation of national revenue between the levels of Government as provided in Part IV of Chapter 12. It does not say that Parliament “shall”. It says the National Assembly shall determine the allocation of national revenue. It also goes to Article 95 and says the Senate determines the allocation of county revenue among the counties as provided in Article 217, which basically begins with the determination of formula and then every year, application of that formula across the different counties to subdivide the money. So, when you look at Article 218, it is very clear. You are talking of Parliament, and which House of Parliament that Bill will be introduced into, and not a situation of saying that a Bill may be introduced in either House. In fact, if you look at it from that argument, that because it affects counties - that is where they seem to be drawing from - the Senate participates in law making function of Parliament by considering debating and approving Bills concerning counties as provided in Articles 109 to 113. The Leader of the Majority Party has just explained about all these grants and conditional monies for roads and health, which are contained within the Appropriation Act. If we were to extend this argument in a very basic level, then what will stop the Senate from introducing to the Senate an Appropriation Bill because it contains money for health and roads? We must stop these ping pong games and stick to what the framers of this Constitution envisaged. This was very clear - that there shall be two houses. Each House has its responsibility. Let us stick to those. They said within Article 93 that let each House function in accordance with this Constitution. Within the Fourth Schedule, there are specific jobs that are allocated to the county government. If, for example, I was to come and introduce a Bill here in terms of control and The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}