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{
    "id": 945533,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/945533/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 292,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think there is one of the provisions of the Constitution that probably we are not using as often as we should. This is Article 211, where this House can actually call upon the Cabinet Secretary at any time to explain the amounts of debt, why it is there, how it is being serviced and the structure of that debt. If we just leave it to the Executive without supervision from Parliament, this country may not be able to live to the spirit and principle of the Constitution, which requires that the burden of debt should not be visited to the future generations without some element of responsibility and accountability. Therefore, I fully agree with the Communication that you made that this matter should go to the two Committees, and particularly, the Committee on Finance and Budget. Although we are not dealing with the regulations or substance of the regulations, it is important to point out that there is a legal notice already out there. This means that the state of affairs may have actually changed on the ground and somebody is assuming that we are going to approve this delegated legislation in terms of the limit, whether it is being measured numerically or against Gross Domestic Product (GDP). That is a very important question. Why is that change being made? This is one of the things that when it goes to that Committee - we are not saying we are going to say no to it - they should explain to us because, internationally, debt is measured against GDP. This Senate then should be able to explain to the public why that change is necessary. The two Committees can talk to experts in the manner which was suggested by the Senate Majority Leader; confer with experts so that this change is made in a way that is consumable and understandable to the Senate and the country as a whole. I just want to speak the words of wisdom from the former President of the Republic of Kenya, President Hon. Mwai Kibaki, where he used to say that one of the most important responsibilities of Parliament in being the institution that should oversee the National Treasury, is to look at the level of borrowing, particularly in the domestic market and look at the levels of expenditure. This is because financial problems that sometimes visit the country arise out of issues of debt and borrowing. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I, therefore, fully support the Communication that you have made; that this matter should go to the Committee. When this matter comes, I believe that we will be given opportunity to discuss it thoroughly because whichever decision we make should be well understood by the members of the public. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir."
}