HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 1129223,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1129223/?format=api",
"text_counter": 19,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13119,
"legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
"slug": "agnes-zani"
},
"content": "In fact, the bulk of the Jua Kali industry is actually the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). What most of the SME need is an injection of money. That needs to be put into place. In this case, this money was injected about Kshs5 billion as seed capital to SME credit guarantee schemes. By doing this, we are able to intervene and provide affordable credit to micro and macro industries. This will enable them to progress and move issues to the next point. Mr. Speaker, Sir, another issue which was touched on is the issue of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Today on our Order Paper, we have in place for us to look at the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) Amendment which really again addresses the whole issue of how do you bring the health concerns of a society into consideration. You know that health for a long time has not been affordable for everybody. We were also highlighted the Linda Mama Initiative that has come out very noble. We know as a population, we are almost now moving to the projection that has been given for 2031 is 60 million Kenyans. These are young people who will be born. They need to be nurtured and well taken care of. So an initiative that looks at how to put these health concerns into place becomes very critical. Mr. Speaker, Sir, scholars over time have put the comparison and the correlation between development, infrastructure, industrilisation and health concerns. Any inequality, be it health or education, then creates a lacuna for that particular development. So, specifically with UHC, that gives us a chance to be able to move forward. The administration prioritised Kshs3 billion for the supply of farm inputs. This was specifically towards to ensuring that, for example, the small scale farmers are able to raise better produce. Through that they will be able to be part of this UHC which becomes very critical. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is important for us to look at the amendment and put the health coverage into place. We need to make sure that through some sort of coverage, people can give some money and be covered through an insurance cover. That becomes very important for us. Mr. Speaker, Sir, tourism was another sixth area which was targeted for stimulus programme. This helps to jumpstart this important sector and put players that were actually able to ensure that stimulus programme in tourism allows for tourism to continues to progress, especially during the COVID-19 time. Mr. Speaker, Sir, at the coast, I remember the Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Balala, sometime back came up with a domestic cover and policy that allows for domestic tourism. I think that has changed completely. Through such impetuous programmes, it has enabled us to have a tourism sector that is flourishing and able to really expand. That became very critical. As much as we moved to domestic tourism, those interested in international tourism- This has cushioned many hotels have been able to stay afloat because of such stimulus targeted programmes, that were able to add a total of Kshs2 billion, that was supplied towards renovation of these facilities and restructuring the businesses. I think it was important to listen to the efforts that had been made. Through listening, it gave a very good insight of what has been happening. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}