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{
"id": 1623162,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1623162/?format=api",
"text_counter": 4589,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Tharaka, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. George Murugara",
"speaker": null,
"content": "are they doing for the citizens?' We will appropriate over Ksh400 billion to these counties. Where is this money going apart from huge recurrent expenses? Then, the little that is left is pilfered by unscrupulous governors who think they are demigods in the counties. We will take them head-on. This is because we are the ones who appropriate money, and it is not meant for their consumption. Thank you, Hon. Atandi, because the other state departments also got enhancements. The State Department of Justice, Human Rights, and Constitutional Affairs, the State Department of Correctional Services, the State Law Office, the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). All of them have received some enhancement, and I believe that the National Treasury will carry that through. On behalf of the people of Tharaka, it is vital that I bring to the attention of the Hon. Atandi what Tharaka looks like. I am pleased that the Hon. Temporary Speaker has been there many times. Therefore, you can confirm what I say. First, there is no constituency in the country today that can proudly boast of having about 25 per cent electricity connectivity. Therefore, thank you, Hon. Atandi, for allocating money to the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. It will be my duty to remind them that Tharaka Constituency needs affirmative action in matters of electricity. Tharaka Constituency does not have many tarmac roads. The Temporary Speaker can recollect that there was no tarmac road when he visited Marimanti. Today, there is a semblance of a disjointed tarmac road because construction stalled. I am happy that funds have been allocated to restart stalled projects, including the road from Chiakariga to Marimanti. We are also getting a new tarmac road along Miomponi-Mukothima-Katunga. Hon. Atandi, I observed that you have set aside allocations for water development in Tharaka Constituency. However, there are also recommendations to reduce the allocations to the water pans in the constituency. I will visit the Ministry to recover any funds I can, as Tharaka Constituency is located in an arid and semi-arid land (ASAL). The budgets we make must reflect what people are experiencing in the constituencies. I would have said a lot more, but I will wait for the Committee of Supply to see how funds will be allocated and then contribute. However, I support the Report."
},
{
"id": 1623163,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1623163/?format=api",
"text_counter": 4590,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Peter Kaluma",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal, Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health."
},
{
"id": 1623164,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1623164/?format=api",
"text_counter": 4591,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Seme, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to start by appreciating the Chairperson and Members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee for how they have conducted the whole process and interacted with the Chairpersons of Departmental Committees. I rise to support this Budget because it has considered the key areas that we need to address as a country to stabilise our healthcare system. It has looked at Primary Health Care (PHC), where funds have been allocated to address vaccination, malaria, and tuberculosis (TB). The Committee has allocated Ksh4.6 billion to vaccines and Ksh10 billion to promotive services, which cover many areas, including the kits required by community health promoters (CHPs). Level 2 and 3 hospitals have been a problem and the bane of complaints about the Social Health Authority (SHA). This will be addressed by the funds allocated to PHC and emergency and critical illnesses, which I will talk about a little later. Other complaints in the health sector have been about human resources, and three main areas have been addressed, even if not fully, but adequately for now. One is the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers who have been camping out here. About Ksh6.1 billion has been allocated to cater for them. They were asking for a lot more, but if the figures are worked out and there is proper planning on how that amount will be shared between the National Government and county governments, then this money will adequately start off the process. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
},
{
"id": 1623165,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1623165/?format=api",
"text_counter": 4592,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Seme, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The issue of interns has been addressed, and funds have been set aside to cover their agreements with the Government. The same applies to the issue of registrars, which has existed for long. At least Ksh200 million has been set aside to streamline how registrars apply in all training facilities. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the other area that is quiet is financing. There is a problem with the Social Health Authority (SHA). There is no question about it. Both those who complain that it is not working and those who say it is working have a point. The issue is very straightforward because we have three funds. The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which is a contribution, is going on. People who are admitted get services. However, there is the issue of the Primary Healthcare Fund and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, which are funded by taxpayers. They have never been funded before. As we heard earlier, we have allocated Kshs 13 billion for the Primary Healthcare Fund and Kshs 10 billion for the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund. With this money, if the ministry coordinates with the county government, particularly for the Primary Healthcare Fund, the complaints of outpatients in Level 2 and Level 3 hospitals regarding SHA should be resolved. People should register now because it will work. Another issue in the sector is the availability of drugs and medical equipment. Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) is supported in operations. In the previous Budget, they were allocated Ksh1.5 billion, which should help them to recover from the effects of COVID- 19. The other major issue is the referral system, particularly in Level 6 hospitals. We have realised that their services have an issue of equity. There are regions which have them, and others do not. Yet, these are areas where people need services like cancer care. To that extent, in the policy aspect of the Budget, we are looking at how we can upgrade referral services. In all the referral services that are in existence now, we have allocated Ksh43.3 billion. There are two new additions, namely Mwai Kibaki Teaching and Referral Hospital in Othaya, Nyeri, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu, for which we have allocated Ksh 1.3 billion and Ksh 2.8 billion, respectively, in this Budget. The money will help them. Then, there are others that are in the process, and some money has been set aside so that this process can be streamlined. I do not want to go into more details because Members have already discussed it, and we do not have time. I want to say one main thing about health matters. Public health services in this country are, to a large extent, in the domain of the county governments. We have put aside resources for the Primary Healthcare Fund and the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Fund. If we do not have proper coordination between the county governments and the National Government, these funds will not serve their purposes. On this issue, I call upon the Health Committee of the Council of Governors to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, the State Department for Medical Services and Public Health, and the Sanitation Departments to establish a process for operationalising these funds. For example, if the Ksh13 billion allocated to the Primary Healthcare Fund is applied properly, it should support the outpatient services of Level 2 and Level 3 hospitals. If we take care of that, the complaints about SHA will go away. Once services are rendered to people at these levels, they will be encouraged to enrol in the SHA services. If there are complaints that they go to hospitals but do not get services, then they will not register. We have the Facility Improvement Fund, which will improve Level 2 and Level 3 hospitals. That is why we have set aside Ksh13.3 billion. We do not see why KEMSA should not be paid if all the levels are properly funded and people get services. Therefore, many structural issues have to go into places money has been put in. I want to request that the Health Committee of the Council of Governors and the Ministry of Health collaborate to develop a system for addressing Universal Health Coverage The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
},
{
"id": 1623166,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1623166/?format=api",
"text_counter": 4593,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Seme, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal",
"speaker": null,
"content": "(UHC) workers. They should sort out KEMSA and interns because funds have been made available. With that, I support."
},
{
"id": 1623167,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1623167/?format=api",
"text_counter": 4594,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Peter Kaluma",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Let us have Hon. Anthony Oluoch, followed by Hon. Mukunji, Member for Manyatta. Then, Hon. Wilberforce Oundo, followed by Hon. Kiarie."
},
{
"id": 1623168,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1623168/?format=api",
"text_counter": 4595,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mathare, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Anthony Oluoch",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Allow me also to support. I want to begin with the second part of the Committee’s Motion. The Chairman asked for the approval of a sum of Ksh2,538,293,978,440 from the Consolidated Fund. My first point is mostly about the second part. That is the policy and financial resolutions contained in the Second Schedule. A number of policy and financial recommendations were made during the last financial year, particularly in the deliberations on last year's Budget Estimates. I hope the first is affirmative action. I have seen attempts to carry and entrench this in a number of State Departments estimates. Affirmative action is now firmly entrenched as a foundational principle under our Constitution, particularly in Article 10. Then, in a number of other Articles, including Article 204. This is only possible in some places that are unreached, like the informal settlements in Nairobi. When you look at the crafting of Article 204 of the Constitution, it excludes places like cities because the assumption is that Nairobi, Kisumu and big counties are already developed. Indeed, the position is that informal settlements like Mathare, Mukuru kwa Njenga and Kibera are marginalised. Affirmative action in the budget- making process must always extend to them. There is also budget equity. This ensures that resource allocation employs a policy of budget equity across the country. Especially by those whom trust is given to preside over resource allocation. The people in Turkana are as much entitled to getting roads, water, electricity and other services as those in Lamu. The same applies to those in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay, Murang'a, and the constituency from which Hon. Oundo comes. The question of budget equity must be an over-arching issue that always pervades in our budget-making process. My final point is that budget-making, policy, and financial resolutions must constantly be on a path to improve the attainment of rights. I am particularly drawn to Article 28 of the Constitution, which states that every person is entitled to their inherent dignity, which must be respected. The same is true with Article 43 of the Constitution, which states that every person is entitled to affordable and accessible housing. Therefore, it is very natural that my first point in support of this Budget would be on the State Department of Housing and Urban Development. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the State Department of Housing and Urban Development has an allocation of nearly Ksh95 billion. This will not be lost, especially for those of us in Nairobi City County. It was possible to extend Articles 28 and 43 of the Constitution on the enhancement and protection of the dignity of individuals. That a person who used to live in an informal settlement in Mukuru and soon this can be extended to areas like Mathare, Makadara, Kibra and Lang’ata can now finally live in a decent house. They can access a hot shower, clean water and electricity. Previously, it was common practice for them to obtain electricity by either making illegal connections or using other illicit methods of lighting, which are a constant cause of fire in the informal settlements."
},
{
"id": 1623169,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1623169/?format=api",
"text_counter": 4596,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mathare, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Anthony Oluoch",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Another area where affirmative action should have been continued is the State Department on Basic Education. I am happy that in the Supplementary Budget, His Excellency the President extended Ksh1 billion to all the 17 constituencies in Nairobi. As leaders of Nairobi, we engaged in that discussion this year and submitted a petition to His Excellency and the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Unfortunately, due to the limited fiscal space, we have been assured that Nairobi will receive a similar extension of Ksh1 billion The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
},
{
"id": 1623170,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1623170/?format=api",
"text_counter": 4597,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mathare, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Anthony Oluoch",
"speaker": null,
"content": "for the informal settlements to cater for basic infrastructure. You can now understand why I began by stating the policy and financial issues that must underlie the budget-making process."
},
{
"id": 1623171,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1623171/?format=api",
"text_counter": 4598,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mathare, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Anthony Oluoch",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Your Excellency, on the issue of education…"
}
]
}