Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 980286,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/980286/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 204,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Ongeri",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 124,
        "legal_name": "Samson Kegeo Ongeri",
        "slug": "samson-ongeri"
    },
    "content": "It would be wrong for them to withhold the salaries to the county government staff. Having said so, I must put a caveat that the county governments must also take the responsibility of ensuring that the resources available at their command are appropriately utilized, particularly in the area of expenditure on development and the pending bills. There are those eligible pending bills that must be paid. However, those that are ineligible, that can be another story. Those that are eligible include workers and partners in the counties who have spent their money, and who must be paid. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, one of the things that I want to comment on is that it is immoral to withhold any salary for work done. It is not acceptable at any level. Therefore, I propose that the National Treasury, through the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) – where they have been sitting and prefixing the amount of money to be sent to the county governments – should also agree at that level. They should agree on how they can advance the county governments money to clear the pending bills and, at the same time, meet their obligations of paying the salaries promptly. One of the things that I have noticed while sitting as a Member of the County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC) is that Exchequer releases have been very erratic. It is, therefore, very difficult for county governments to rearrange their expenditure lines in accordance with resources available at their command. This is one of the things that we, as the Senate, must do now. In my own area of Kisii County, people approach me as their Senator that I help them with some little money to survive for one or two weeks before they get their salaries. Obviously, my meager salary cannot afford to support them. I think that they have a case that must be listened to. They also have an opportunity that they must exploit, of paying their pending bills on time so that these resources are not withheld at any time. Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir."
}