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{
    "id": 1067111,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1067111/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 105,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Runyenjes, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Eric Njiru",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2725,
        "legal_name": "Eric Muchangi Njiru",
        "slug": "eric-muchangi-njiru"
    },
    "content": "The BBI is not a priority now. Whatever good thing is in the BBI can wait for a later date. In BBI, it is proposed that we will have 94 Senators. We now have 47 elected and 20 nominated Senators. In total, they come to 67 Senators. You rarely see them in their constituencies because their mandate is to oversee the county governments. They are not very busy. I am left wondering, when we increase the number to 94, are we not just increasing the wage Bill? Listening to many Kenyans, most of our people now want a lean Government and not a bloated one. The BBI proposes that we shall have the Office of the Prime Minister with two deputies. That definitely, will come along with other officers and offices. That will then, cost the taxpayers more. When I reflect at the situation that is in many of our hospitals, I can confirm to this House that they are in dire need of resources. Many of them are without medicine, beds and very important facilities. The lives of our people are more important than any other thing. I urge and request the Government to consider taking care of these issues before BBI. Finally, we do not require BBI to help our young people. We have enough laws in this country that can help young people. In the Departmental Committee on Education and Research, we have a Bill that proposes to have five years break for the people leaving higher institutions of learning and funded by Higher Education Loans Board, so that they can pay their loans after five years. Some things do not necessarily require a referendum. We require implementation of the existing policies and laws to help our young people. We have a Ministry in charge of public service and gender affairs. Whatever is proposed in BBI concerning the young people can be done by the Ministry. We have CS in place. All the good things that we are being told would be done through BBI can be through that Ministry. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I represent a constituency that is populous. I make many trips across the constituency. This Government has a lot of work to do before BBI. I know of a project in my constituency that has stalled for five years. There is the Kieni-Karurumo-Kathanjuri Road which is only 10 Kilometers and fully funded by the European Union. I have made numerous trips to the Office of the CS, PS, raised a Statement and a Question here but, unfortunately, that project has not gotten the attention of the Government. Whenever I go to those people, they remind me of their stalled project and several others that need to be done by this Government. I have clear instructions from my people, and a majority of them reject the proposed changes. I, therefore, oppose. Thank you."
}