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{
    "id": 959086,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/959086/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 464,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suba South, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. John Mbadi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 110,
        "legal_name": "John Mbadi Ng'ong'o",
        "slug": "john-mbadi"
    },
    "content": "true. In fact, the CRA simply came up with what they call the average inflation rate for the first three years of 6.5 per cent. They adjusted the Kshs314 billion figure which was provided in the last financial year and only added 6.5 per cent to it which they called an adjustment for inflation. Is that the figure that we are now being told to treat as if it is such a well-researched figure that we should not even debate about? The people of Kenya elected Members to the National Assembly. The National Assembly is the house of representatives of the people of Kenya. Anywhere in the world, it is the house of representatives that decides on taxation measures and budgetary issues because there is no taxation without representation. In any jurisdiction, the world over, the house of representatives has the responsibility to ensure that the interests of a country are taken into consideration. Therefore, there is nothing illegal, unprofessional or unprocedural that we did. In fact, in the Budget and Appropriations Committee, we have people who have expertise in matters economics and finance. We are not deficient in terms of capacity. Therefore, when we speak, we are not speaking like laymen. I see the Senate trying to demean our role, capacity and competence by saying that we are just following what the National Treasury or the Executive said. It is not true. As a matter of fact, we interrogated this Budget. We have come up with figures. We have talked about why we feel this amount is desirable and not these other proposals. All is well that ends well. Now that we are where we are, let us think about the future. The future is that we provide some money for the counties to function as we continue to mediate on the Division of Revenue Bill. However, I want to caution early enough that that safety net should not be misused in future. We should not say that now that we have a way of funding counties, therefore, when it is not necessary, we have to disagree on division of revenue. It is not right and it distorts the economic functioning of a country in terms of managing the expenditure. If, for example, you take four, five or six months without agreeing on how to spend your budget, it means you are interfering with the entire economic indicators of the country. Projected economic growth is based on projected expenditure. If that expenditure is not realised or implemented as planned by economists, you then distort the entire economy in terms of its functioning. What we are supporting in terms of this amendment should only be an exception. It should only happen in exceptional circumstances. It should not be the norm. I fear that if we do not address this matter properly, it may be the norm that every year we will use that provision of the law and disagree even for eight months which will not be good for the economy of this country. I support the Bill."
}