Parliament bends law allowing Githae to access Sh425bn

Parliament granted the Treasury authority to withdraw Sh425 billion from the consolidated fund to finance its expenditure, pending the passage of a crucial law.

After reprimanding Treasury for flouting the provisions of the constitution, MPs bent the law to allow Finance minister Njeru Githae to move the Vote on Account for the fiscal year 2012/13.

Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim made a controversial ruling to hand Mr Githae leeway to withdraw the money from public coffers to finance services until the Appropriation Bill is passed by the House. The Appropriation Bill authorises withdrawal of money from consolidated fund for disbursement to various ministries to run government services.

Gwasi MP John Mbadi, committee chairmen Chris Okemo (Finance) and  Adan Keynan (defence) and Njoroge Baiya (Justice) opposed the motion saying the minister must comply with Article 221 (6) of the constitution that requires an Appropriation Bill to be passed before a Vote on Account can be taken

Mr Keynan proposed that MPs effect a cut on the money Treasury is seeking by 25 per cent as a punishment to the government so that in future they comply with the constitution.