House approves withdrawal of 74.6b from Consolidated Fund

By ROSELYNE OBALA

The Government has received the greenlight to withdraw Sh74.6 billion from the Consolidated Fund to finance government operations until June 30, 2014 when the financial year ends.

The National Treasury has been authorised to withdraw the funds to be used for certain public services and purposes after the National Assembly passed the Supplementary and Appropriation Bill.

The lawmakers backed the Bill prepared by the Budget and Appropriations Committee, stating that the approved funds will enable the Government finance its pending projects.

The passing of the Bill gives Treasury the legal backing to withdraw the money to ensure service delivery to Kenyans.

The committee chaired by Mutava Musyimi informed the House that the funds would go a long way in concluding incomplete Government projects.

The MPs also supported the provision by the committee to set aside Sh80 million to audit the Constitution.

They stressed that there is need to conduct thorough audit of the Constitution to determine whether there are any loopholes that need to be sealed.

Majority Leader Aden Duale concurred with his colleagues that Parliament needs to take stock of the challenges and benefits of the law.

Mr Duale, Mr Musyimi, Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay County), John Mbadi (Suba), Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache North) Alice Wahome (Kandara), Katoo Ole Metito (Kajiado South) and Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini) agree that the scrutiny of the Constitution will establish whether there is a need to have a review.

“The audit will determine whether there is value in Constitution, whether we require all the seats that we have or not,” said Ms Wanga.

She continued, “The proposed review has come at the right time when the country is having a national debate on the wage bill.”