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{
    "id": 1032924,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1032924/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 188,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kitui Central, WDM - K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Makali Mulu",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1955,
        "legal_name": "Benson Makali Mulu",
        "slug": "benson-makali-mulu"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to also add my voice to the President’s Speech on the State of the Nation. This is a very abnormal year, and I must thank the President for the Speech. This year has been very unique because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Speech had to be tailored so that it addresses issues which are affecting Kenyans. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, one of the things I picked is on COVID-19. There are some good proposals in the Speech which, if implemented, will help Kenyans. There was the issue of reforms in the NHIF as opposed to the Universal Health Care (UHC). It was good to hear the President say that there will be need to restructure the NHIF so that, even as we implement the UHC, it will be prepared for that important function. The issue of mental health is also very important. The proposal to upgrade Mathari Hospital to be a parastatal is also very welcome. The health of our children was also mentioned. As we address health of our children, there was a proposal to have honourable Members supporting the education sector. While this is a good proposal, the issue is the timing because I know most honourable Members have submitted their proposals. I do not know to what extent this request has been factored in. If it has not been factored in, it means there will be an issue. I think that does not stop the Government from also providing additional resources through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) so that more classrooms are constructed. The other issue concerns our doctors and health workers. I think this is an area where the Government needs to do much more than it has done and, more so, on the issue of allowances, salaries and PPEs. There was the issue of national security. I was encouraged when I heard the President mention that national security is going to be given a priority. Then, there was the mention of the need to be peaceful as a country and also to be able to export peace to our neighbours. The President also mentioned regional integration where we are talking about ensuring that the integration of East Africa is enhanced. To me, this is very important because, when our neighbours are at peace, then automatically, Kenya will also be at peace and more likely, as the President was proposing, easily export peace to our neighbours. The other issue that was also mentioned is the need for leaders to reach out to each other so that, even where we differ, leaders should be able to talk to each other, agree on issues and, most possibly, build consensus. As a way of trying to explain this, I remember the President requesting the two Houses of Parliament - the Senate and the National Assembly - to engage in consensus building when it comes to issues of how we conduct our business. To me, this was very important because we have seen a situation where the Senate takes the National Assembly to court and the National Assembly has to go and defend itself in court. We are the same House. So, I like the idea of building consensus being encouraged and being given emphasis in this report. The last issue which was important is that we, as the leaders, are reminded that we are only leaders in this country and we hold this country in trust for future generations. This is what I want to say: If as today’s leaders we all appreciate the fact that we are only leaders in this country today so that we hold this country in trust for future generations, we would be able to do things correctly. This applies to economics; the way we manage our economy. We will be bearing in mind that 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."
}