Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 967008,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/967008/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 167,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kiminini, FORD-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Chris Wamalwa",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I rise to support the nominee. The Controller of Budget is a very important office as articulated under Article 228 of the Constitution. The main responsibility of the Controller of Budget is that of a store-keeper. She is the one who takes care of the stores. She has the key that opens and closes. She plays a very critical role as far as prudent financial management is concerned. The biggest problem we have in this country right now is that there is no money in circulation. This boils down to the pending bills. I have gone through the Report on the vetting. I am happy to note that she was asked about the issue of pending bills. It is very critical. If contractors have done their work, it is important that they are paid on time so that this money can cascade down to improve the welfare or the livelihood of the people. I watched the news yester night and I learnt that about 15 counties have not met their obligations. We passed the Division of Revenue Bill which effects the vertical sharing of revenue. How come we have pending bills yet counties normally receive this money? It beats logic. Many times they say they were not given the money, but in the long run they are given their share. The issue is about good financial management practices. It is important that every county finishes paying the pending bills before the money is given. We also have issues when it comes to releasing this money. We are told that the Exchequer is broke and yet the funds that were approved have not been released. For example, the Political Parties Act explains that 0.3 per cent of the national revenue should be given to political parties. Most of the time you would find that money that has been given to the political parties does not reach the 0.3 per cent. As a matter of fact, in the last term, Hon. Anthony Oluoch went to court. The court made a determination. The money that was released this year does not reach the threshold. We are calling upon the Controller of Budget as she comes into office to ensure that political parties are given their dues so that they can help to improve democracy in this country. Article 228 is clear that the office holder must have at least 10 years of experience in public financial management. Looking at Dr. Margaret’s CV, you realise that she has more than the 10 years’ experience. She has held senior positions at the Bureau of Statistics as the Director of Finance. That is a big plus. She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of"
}