{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=136986","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=136984","results":[{"id":1386261,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1386261/?format=json","text_counter":138,"type":"heading","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS TO COUNTY OFFICES BY THE PSC"},{"id":1386262,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1386262/?format=json","text_counter":139,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Omogeni","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13219,"legal_name":"Erick Okong'o Mogeni","slug":"erick-okongo-mogeni"},"content":"Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52(1) to make a Statement on a matter of general topical concern namely, the operating expenses of the county offices. I take this opportunity to inform the House of the progress made in the disbursement of funds to county offices by the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). I do this appreciating my duty to this House, which approved my appointment as a Commissioner to the PSC on Wednesday, 9th November, 2022. I wish to notify the House that the PSC as at Thursday 7th March, 2023, received and processed operational returns from 39 county offices. The Commission proceeded to process payments for the offices for their office operations for January to March, 2024. I wish to notify hon. Senators that the vouchers for payments of the disbursements for the mentioned quarter are in the cash office pending payment. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to bring to the attention of the House that we requested for Exchequer from the National Treasury, but as of 7th March 2024, we have not been funded. As an interim measure, the Commission has facilitated the payment of staff salaries for the period of January and February, 2024."},{"id":1386263,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1386263/?format=json","text_counter":140,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Omogeni","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13219,"legal_name":"Erick Okong'o Mogeni","slug":"erick-okongo-mogeni"},"content":"The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."},{"id":1386264,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1386264/?format=json","text_counter":141,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Omogeni","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13219,"legal_name":"Erick Okong'o Mogeni","slug":"erick-okongo-mogeni"},"content":"I, therefore, wish to bring to the attention of all Senators that though they are required to account for their office expenses for January, February, and March 2024, we have been unable to disburse these monies to the respective accounts due to the Exchequer not being released by the National Treasury. I, therefore, request Senators to take note for general information and not to confront me on the corridors as to why money has not reached their accounts. I thank you."},{"id":1386265,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1386265/?format=json","text_counter":142,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Kingi","speaker_title":"The Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" I will allow comments on these Statements, two Senators from each side. Sen. Wambua, proceed."},{"id":1386266,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1386266/?format=json","text_counter":143,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Wambua","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13199,"legal_name":"Enoch Kiio Wambua","slug":"enoch-kiio-wambua"},"content":"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. I thank Commissioner, Sen. Omogeni, for updating the House on the status of the release of funds, especially for operations of our respective county offices. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are now beginning to play hide and seek with the electorate and even our members of staff. This is because the funds that Sen. Omogeni has made reference to for the operations, Senators will use for tea in their offices and for hiring taxis to different destinations. The amount of debt that has been accumulated by the respective offices of Senators are staggering. Since January, that amount has not been received in our counties. It puts us in a very awkward situation. We require other Government offices to operate and deliver services, but we are unable to operationalize our own offices. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is a matter that the National Treasury must begin to take more seriously than they do. Disbursements to different votes for Parliament should not be an afterthought. It should be a priority issue. Moreover, monies that were due in January have not been released to date and there is no sign that it will be released tomorrow or the day after. Therefore, the National Treasury must take note. I thank the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) for that update."},{"id":1386267,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1386267/?format=json","text_counter":144,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Kingi","speaker_title":"The Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Proceed, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale."},{"id":1386268,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1386268/?format=json","text_counter":145,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":170,"legal_name":"Bonny Khalwale","slug":"bonny-khalwale"},"content":"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have heard our good Commissioner. As a House, we have absolute confidence in them. I want to encourage them. The PSC must realize that under Article 248 and 249 of the Constitution, it enjoys absolute independence. In fact, if you allow, I would like to quote Article 249(2) (a) and (b), which states that- “The commissions and the holders of independent offices—"},{"id":1386269,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1386269/?format=json","text_counter":146,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":170,"legal_name":"Bonny Khalwale","slug":"bonny-khalwale"},"content":"(a) are subject only to this Constitution and the law; and (b) are independent and not subject to direction or control by any person or authority.”"},{"id":1386270,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1386270/?format=json","text_counter":147,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":170,"legal_name":"Bonny Khalwale","slug":"bonny-khalwale"},"content":"Given this provision and that the National Assembly has done the necessary appropriation - I am not addressing Sen. Omogeni, but the Commission. At what point do you lose your independence that the envisaged independence of the budget of Parliament ends up being subject to the direction of the Executive? We would like you to briefly tell us that you are up to the job. If there are challenges you are facing, then approach Parliament, so that we can adversely engage the Executive."}]}