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{
    "id": 1085477,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1085477/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 92,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tharaka, DP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. George Gitonga",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13491,
        "legal_name": "George Gitonga Murugara",
        "slug": "george-gitonga-murugara"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise to support the recommendation that we adopt this report. From the outset, let me thank my Chairman, Hon. Kamket. He has eloquently moved the Motion. When I look at the beneficiaries, I notice that his county is the first one, and his constituency Tiaty is actually expressly named. So, I see the person. When I came to Parliament in 2017, my first task was to ask why Tharaka was not benefitting from the Equalisation Fund. The authority informed me that only one sub-location in Tharaka North Sub-County did benefit while it is on record and it is known in the entire country that one of the most marginalised areas is Tharaka Constituency. This aggrieved me. I was advised by the Board that since the regulations were likely to be thrown out by the courts, it would endeavour to ensure that my constituency is included. I am proud to note that Tharaka Nithi County is now number 30 and my constituency of Tharaka is named. I am able to proudly inform the people of Tharaka that through the effort of their Member of Parliament, they are now included in the Equalisation Fund. I say this without batting an eyelid or winking because I started this in 2017. The importance of Equalisation Fund cannot be overemphasised, especially now that we are running out of time. This Fund was to last for 20 years to try and bring up areas of the country that had been left behind, so that they can equalise with the areas that were developed intentionally, accidentally or circumstantially. It is important that we continue to support areas that were left behind. This is why you find regions such as north-eastern Kenya and northern Kenya passionate about this matter. It also goes to the Eastern Region formerly known as the Eastern Province. Embu is the only region which does not appear here. The rest of the districts, as they were called, which are now counties, are included here. It is also important to point out that as a Committee we were able to ensure that constituencies are recognised while implementing this Fund. This is why your chairpersons of CDF will be sitting with county governments, other stakeholders and the county commissioners to ensure that these funds are properly disbursed and are of benefit to the people we represent. It is well known that when counties are left on their own, they can turn out to be rogue. They can misuse money through dubious contracts, conflict of interest and anything that they think will benefit their own pockets. We must sit in there and bring the exemplification of CDF into this Fund. Any Government will say that we have offered development to all constituencies through CDF. If you go to every constituency, you will see what this money has done. There may be a few with audit queries. We want this Equalisation Fund replicated in the format of CDF so that people at the grassroots, especially those marginalised in terms of electricity supply, roads, water and school infrastructure, can benefit to the maximum. These regulations are timely and welcome. 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."
}