Kenya: Press Statement addressing Budgetary Allocation in Counties (14.10.2016)

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Members of the Press,
Citizens of Kenya,
We address you today after recent coverage in the dailies portraying counties to be misusing funds allocated to them. County Governments have achieved much since the inception of the devolved system of governance and each county can readily demonstrate what they have achieved in each sector.
In line with this, the Council of Governors would like to clarify some things and the set the record straight.
ACCESS TO OVERDRAFT FACILITIES
• Counties are now able to access overdrafts from the Central bank for operations at 5% of the latest audited revenue and to be repaid within a year.
• The Central Bank of Kenya is in the process of preparing guideline since they have clearance from the Attorney General on the interpretation of the law in line with Article 212(b) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and Sec 140(1) of the PFM Act 2012.
The borrowing will cushion Counties financial constraints necessitated by delay in disbursement of the equitable share from the National Treasury.

UTILIZATION OF FUNDS BY COUNTY GOVERNMENTS
• According to the Controller of Budgets report for the past nine months, County Governments spent Kshs.7.15 billion on domestic and foreign travel of which Kshs.2.9Billion by the County Assembly and Kshs.4.115 Billion by the County Executive.
• The National Government Ministries and departments spent Kshs.8.023Billion in the same period of which Kshs.2.6Billion was spent by the National Assembly.
• The report further indicates that the National Government spent Kshs.107.862Billion being 26.9% of the total recurrent expenditure (Kshs.400.33Billion) on other unclassified expenditure.

WHAT DEVOLUTION HAS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF KENYA
• Since the advent of devolution, there is evidence to show that the people of Kenya have experienced a lot of positive change especially in service delivery. Health services are more accessible in the rural areas and more affordable. In 2012, there were 8,466 health centers and dispensaries, currently the numbers stand at 10,032 health facilities.
• Counties have employed more health care personnel. In 2013 there were 874 doctors and 6,620 nurses, the statics today stand at 1,302 doctors and 8,903 nurses in the county health facilities.
• Infant mortality rate has dropped to 39% per every 1000 live births as opposed 62% per every 1000 live births before devolution.
• In Agriculture there has been an increase in crop and livestock production. 132 Value addition projects have been instituted in 34 Counties; 1,021 greenhouses installed in 36 Counties; and 911 cattle dips have been constructed and rehabilitated in 28 Counties.
• 541,627 farmers have access to extension services with the aim of improving productivity.
• Counties have witnessed a 20% increase in enrollment of students in the ECD centers. In 2013, the ECD enrollment stood at 1,691,286, today it stands at 2,074,060. Additionally, 30,049 teachers and assistants have been recruited to cater for the increased enrollment.
• County Governments have refurbished over 598 centers, built over 5,951 ECD centers and equipped them with desks in a bid to ensuring that pre-school children learn in a conducive environment.
• Counties have embraced innovative and advanced technologies like the Pro-base road construction technology which is cost effective, durable and easy to maintain. Between 2013 and 2016, County Governments have tarmacked 379 kilometers of road and constructed 35,934 kilometers of all-weather road. Furthermore, 19,148 kilometers of new roads have been opened up and 9,572 kilometers of road rehabilitated.
• In trade, new markets for locals have been constructed to facilitate trade in the counties. The numbers of markets have grown from 362 markets to 651 markets.
• In 2013, there were 1,396 cooperatives which have since grown to 1,806 cooperatives with a turnover of KES 56 billion. The Cooperative societies in Kenya are now employing more than 300,000 people besides providing opportunities for self-employment to many more.

Kenya: Letter – “Re: Alleged Libelous tweet and DP Ruto’s threat to sue Boniface Mwangi (05.10.2016)

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Kenya: “Re: Libelous Tweet Concerning H.E. William Ruto” (30.09.2016)

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PBO: Kenya is borrowing without all requisite policies in place (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENLwLw0K6jY

“The government is borrowing without proper revenue planning or policies that factor in revenue growth challenges. This, according to Parliament’s Budget Office, coupled with the growing need to finance projects, will see the level of Kenya’s debt increasing in the coming year, which is already a cause for concern for some” (Kenya NTV, 2016)

Opinion: 10th Parliament MPs proves that their Greed is more important than the Government programs and running expenses!

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This is growing concern not because of the World Bank suspending loans and funds to the development projects or anything else. The ways the allocated funds and tax funds are used in the 10th Parliament shows their level of reckless spending and no concern of accountability.

This happens on the week the Daily Monitor shows reports of 80% of Primary Teachers that teach who can’t read while being government civil servants. These Teachers are the ones learning their inabilities to the future. So the misappropriate funds for the Educational Sector comes into fruition. The Universal Primary Education is surely improperly balanced together with the mismanagement of buildings and salaries; if they get salaries that usually never on time, teachers can wait for months upon months to get their pay. There are enough fallen and depleted schools.

While the Education Sector is in shambles the Members of Parliaments are allocating more money for their private cars. So they can drive around like King-pins in their constituency. They can ride around in the Toyotal Land Cruiser Prado and feel special while their citizens they represent have teachers who can’t read and supposed to teach Vincent grammar. That is just so special ignorance of their duty those 30 years of the Movement should have had enough time to make difference and not make the schooling system weaker.

This is happening in the week that the imported Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARDs) where National Medical Store (NMS) are distributing medicines, but they are sold more expensively locally than internationally. The Ugandan population are doing the same as Americans who pays an extra fortune for their EpiPen Auto-Injector. Together with the other issues around in the Hospitals like Uganda Cancer Institute and their breakdown of hte Cobalt 60 Teletherapy Machine. That still isn’t fixed and was the only one in the great nation.

While the Health Care and Health Sector are not as functional as it should be. While this is happening the MPs have allocated funds and bought Tablets or Ipad’s for a fortune for themselves. Because these MPs need tablets to write notes and such even if am not sure Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda or Vice-President Edward Ssekandi can even use one of them. So they spending a on this while medicines are missing or empty at a time or another.

The MPs salaries, the MPs Allowance and the MPs wish to exempt their salaries from Tax. Together with appropriating lots of funds for travelling for days to the United States and Boston for a Seminar; together with the extended funds for burials, this is happening so they can have an extravagant lifestyle into the casket.

This is happening while the government institutions and programs are weak or nearly non-existence. They have surely ghosts like the ghost SACCO Mzee gave to a non-existing organization. While the MPs representing their people are living like royals in the National Assembly with fancy cars and houses while the unemployment levels are still strong and the educations of their kids are made by teachers who can’t even write. This shouldn’t be happening, but apparently it is.

The Governance is not really happening. Because the government are not steering towards any place, they are walking on clouds and not taking steps to change the deteriorating state of education and health care.

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This is happening while the Government are adding more debt and is by end of the year having over UGX 26 Trillion. This is happening while the Roads Development that been borrowed to Uganda National Roads Authority from the World Bank has been suspended. So the worsen economic situation together with lack of funds for fiscal cash proves the weakness of the economy and the national policies.

This is happening also while the Ugandan Government has to tackle more refugees in Adjumani and other districts towards South Sudan as the neighbour continues with internal fighting. This together with the fluid borders into Democratic Republic of Congo. This has been done with armies and guerrillas in the past to get resources something that has led to another expensive debt to DRC for the Ugandan State.

So the mismanagement and maladministration of the Movement that have had the time to fix it has apparently been more sucked into their own rich-elite oblivion instead of serving their people. That is why the MPs are so into fixing themselves up nicely while the other are living in midst of utter poverty. So the debt is rising and inflation is rising. So the value of shilling isn’t worth much while the imports are more needed. NRM Regime is not having a fiscal policy as they are loose with spending without having secured funding. While making grand plans without having the output to secure borrowing…

I am sure there more things that could be discussed, but this is more than enough for today. As the proof is in the pudding; the budget and the inflated expenses of the Parliament shows how little accountability and transparency of their acts are. This is with the knowledge of months after the General Election 2016… the State House we’re broke right after for those that forgotten. Since the State House had used it resources in the Campaign that cost fortunes and after the election they had to get funds to pay the running expenses.

You think the government should be carrying itself better after been ruling for 30 years, but they are not. They are running like lackeys thieving the little pieces they can instead of building. Therefore the MPs are running the mill like the ability is only counted for when they are pocketed. That is why the greed of getting brown-envelopes is coming when the Mzee needs bills to pass. They get both monies and valuable produce to sell after being in the National Assembly. So with this in mind, the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga should silence herself and take care of her people instead of blaming the media… because they account to the people and the MPs should be more careful spending taxpayer’s monies, instead they use the budget for their own sake and not for the citizens who bleed for this. Peace.

BOU says Uganda’s economy cannot handle interest rate capping (Youtube-Clip)

“Bank of Uganda has assured law makers that the country’s economy remains financial shallow, to accommodate structures such as capping of interest. A dialogue here in Kampala between Members of Parliament, and the financial sector regulator also heard that current loan defaults at 8.3%, makes lending risky. In Kenya, legislators successfully passed a motion that was signed into law by President Uhuru Kenyatta, capping interest rates at 14%, aimed at shielding borrowers from spikes” (NTV Uganda, 2016)

Uganda: Preliminary Response on Parliament’s Statement about the Media (15.09.2016)

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Hon. Marius Fransman resignation from the Western Cape Parliament (16.09.2016)

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Friday, 16 September 2016, at 15h00

No embargo

I have resigned as a member of the Western Cape Legislature today after 17 years of parliamentary service, of which 14 years were in ministerial positions both at provincial and national level.

My decision, in 2013, to return to the Western Cape to fight alongside the poor and the downtrodden, and to address the imbalances between the haves and the have-not’s in creating an inclusive society, is being curtailed by the ongoing ANC internal turmoil, infighting and factions, makes it near impossible to execute my duties to ensure the upliftment of my constituents.

I can no longer justify a salary without the mechanism to deliver on my calling.

I have searched my conscience; I have applied my mind; I have consulted with trusted comrades, and with my family, and I have concluded that the ANC at all levels is at an ebb in its glorious 104 year history of excellence, indicated by internal strife and contradictory statements.

We didn’t join the struggle for such strife; we joined the struggle and our glorious movement to serve, and to serve with pride and dignity. I have reflected on the “Reconstruction and Development” and the “Ready To Govern” documents prior to 1994, and I have realized how far we have drifted from it.

The community wants an ANC restored to its former splendour and I believe that I may better answer to my calling by pursuing such an objective.

It is my humble submission that the organisation must unify anew.

I will dedicate my efforts to rebuild the trust between the people, civil society and the ANC. I will continue to serve the ANC as the elected provincial chairperson of the Western Cape. I call on all like-minded comrades and friends to join me in this quest. We must always remember that the ANC belongs to the people, and not to the leaders and to us in parliament. When we have internal strife, it’s ultimately the people who suffer.

My appreciation to all members of parliament who served with me beyond party political affiliation during my parliamentary tenure, accompanies this statement.

Issued by the ANC Western Cape Chairperson Marius Fransman.

Opinion: Kadaga’s sudden anger towards the media; the Honourable has lost touch with Commoners and the Common Sense!

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Parliamentary Speak Rebecca Kadaga in Parliament: “Let us sue these media houses, take them to court so they lose money”.

Well, honourable Rebecca Kadaga of the noble house of Uganda Parliamentary. There might be misquotes from the Media, even comments and stories that are wrong. But the credit for this is the ruin of the public display and also the tradition of the aghast-house.

If you wonder why the stories come it is because the Members of Parliament loves to be in the spotlight and tell their stories. The media continue to pound on the use of monies while the state borrows more monies and adds debt. This happens as the revenue is kept in the shadow and of the public.

Hon. Rebecca Kadaga said this also today: “I caution the press, the next time such reports are made, editors will be asked to apologize”.

And you shouldn’t wonder about our scepticism to your accountability and just behaviour as the MPs are following a long road of doling out when it is needed for the Executive. The Media will only say what the shadow looks like and not just get the media begging.

There isn’t weird that the media and opposition reacts to the funding of cars up-to 200m UGX and all the benefits of being in Parliament. Together with the weekly fees and other housing fees; also the one point of trying to avoid income-tax on their salaries like ordinary folks.

So the MPs greed will be discussed and with the knowledge of certain MPs todays show the disrespect of the National Resistance Movement MPs.

Hon. Julius Abua Acom said: “We should keep the money for burial a secret, UGX68 Million shouldn’t be in the public eye, for people will curse us”.

Minister Chris Baryomunsi said: “Media should respect Parliament in their reporting. Parliamentary commission needs to come up with guidelines”.

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Hon. Jalia Lukumu N. Abwooli Bintu said: “Government needs to come out and give us UGx500 Million for a brand new cars, we dont need to shy away, it is our right”.

When you are having MPs who flaunt their wealth and want to use taxpayers monies like kids wants to eat candy then you know the system is rigged and maladministration. The Parliament cannot be healthy when Hon. Jalia Bintu of Masindi who has already asked in 2015 for the locals to consult with her; this happen in September 2015 when she needed the locals of Masindi’s goodwill. Now that she is back in the seat of Parliament she can eat the loads of monies instead of actually delivering services to the schools or roads. She got the guts of asking 500 millions shillings for 430 MPs in the 10th Parliament. That is not a small forfeit or bargain that is a substantial fee to the upkeep of the fellow parliamentarians. As much as the 200 Millions of shillings to the 430 MPs that is supposed to go there.

That other fellow MPs want to keep the upkeep and the expenses of the Parliament secret says more about the MP and his party than he likes to admit. But a man wouldn’t come with ideas of those means the Lira District and Okute County MP Acom has rigid ideas of accountability and who they represent in the Northern Uganda. As the man who represents the Okute County thinks the government shouldn’t tell how the Government spends their monies; which is insulting to the people who elected the Independent Candidate or accepted that he became their representative. He shows how disgraceful the men and woman can be in the Aghast-house.

So when you have ministers of this kind and by all means what is said in the house of Parliament will be let out the light. That light that shines on the papers and transcripts, the audio that leaks from the house and the ideas of the people running the house will either shade of glory, content and disarray. As the actions of the Parliament will set the precedence of how the nation can act and behave. How the systems will be built and by what sanctions that are to follow. The light will either be hopeful, graceful, merciful or disgusted.

That Rebecca Kadaga doesn’t understand the excessive actions of her Parliament doesn’t get praise or the glory she thinks it deserves. That is because what does the massive spending of government funds and taxations of common folks. The Commoners are paying more tax and the donor’s aid is being used to secure helicopter and private planes to the President. The MPs want their share under the shade of the man with the hat. As they are gotten used to the men and woman who enter the halls are finally eating. Therefore they want to get there because that is biggest business-venture they can get into in the nation.

So with this in mind; if Hon. Kadaga really wanted the press and media-houses to write stories and articles about them and the kinds of men who haste inside the chambers for titles, deeds and revenues. That is why they desist from the duty and becomes their own men of fortune by squandering tax-money to themselves instead of development projects and salaries to fellow civil servants.

So please Hon. Kadaga get your ducks in the row. Get the common-sense if your sense is still common. Because you act like spoil brat who doesn’t like that the beans are spilled because of you wearing the most expensive jacket to class. Than the other classmates will discuss and feel out of bound; in the same way the ordinary Ugandan will feel about doling out expenses for cars, travels, medical trips to India and so on the bill of all the taxpayers.

Time to silence and bow your grace. Your sense is not common and the articles will pile up when you don’t respect the people and their toll of work for your own courtesy. Rebecca Kadaga times to silence your threats and your acts of silencing the media. Now you can think more about to deliver the public some public good and not the MPs more wealth. Peace.

President Kenyatta, DP Ruto the brains behind Jubilee (Youtube-Clip)

“Exactly who is the brainchild of the new Jubilee baby? Deputy President William Ruto is thought to be the force behind the formation of the Jubilee party. He is said to have engineered the formation of the party in preparation of the 2022 general election, but not to those in the know. In fact some say Ruto maybe the biggest loser in the new set up, not everyone thinks so as Ken Mijungu found out” (Kenya NTV, 2016)