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{
    "id": 970898,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/970898/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 80,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Ng’ang’a Mbugua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker Sir, you will be told that there was an alleged violation of the Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act (PFM), and the Public Procurement Assets and Disposal Act; and that there were unsustainable debts that were incurred. What we do not understand is which law criminalizes what is called unsustainable debts. You have been told that the Governor has been undermining assembly business by not remitting funds to the assembly. That allegation is not founded on the evidence that we shall be producing. You have been told that there was failure to adhere to budgetary estimates in procurement and alleged failure to establish the County Budget and Economic Forum. Those allegations are baseless, subject to admission for the evidence that we shall be producing. We shall demonstrate that, that is not factual. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as regards to allegations to do with conflict of interest, it is important to point out that, that particular charge is the subject of active criminal litigation. In as far as that particular charge is concerned, we shall be raising an objection to its admissibility or consideration by this Senate when it is indeed the subject matter of a core process. There are no impeachable grounds that we call crimes under national law. The impeachable ground should be reasons to believe. Therefore, we shall be again raising an issue as to how that particular charge is crafted and whether it can indeed found a basis of an impeachable offence under Article 181 of the Constitution. Mr. Speaker, Sir, regarding the issue of staffing and again procurement, we shall be demonstrating to you that there is absolutely no direct nexus between the alleged violations and the conduct of the Governor. The Governor plays no role in the procurement process. Yes, he might be the County Executive Officer (CEO) of the county, but he does not award and evaluate tenders, and he does not sign contracts. What you will not be told is where the evidence with regards to those subject tenders is and where the Governor’s hand is. You will not be told all that. You will be told about the alleged high wage bill as a ground for impeachment. This is a national issue; it cuts across all counties. The reasons are diverse; delayed release from the Exchequer and inherited debts from the previous regime. All those have been lumped together to couch an alleged charge of an alleged unsustainable wage bill that has been flowerily crafted; it says that the County of Kiambu is threatened with auction. Far from it. We will be demonstrating that, that phenomenon has nothing to do with the conduct of the Governor. On the whole, we shall be urging this Senate to reject all the grounds and charges for not having been proved. I will yield the remainder of my time to Mr. Njenga to make some brief opening remarks on the process issues and the legal deficiencies of the Motion that was presented to the Speaker of the Senate by the Speaker of the Assembly. Mr. Speaker Sir, I yield the floor. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}