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{
    "id": 1133838,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1133838/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 73,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Navakholo, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2543,
        "legal_name": "Emmanuel Wangwe",
        "slug": "emmanuel-wangwe"
    },
    "content": "(b) The Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2021; (c) The Political Parties Membership Regulations, 2021; (d) The Government Contracts Bill; (e) The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2020; (f) The Irrigation (Amendment) Bill, 2021; (g) The Kenya National Library Service Bill, 2020; and, (h) The Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Hon. Deputy Speaker, despite the effect of the pandemic, the President demonstrated to us that it is not all doom and gloom. He was also keen to address the nation on the status of the Government National Transformative Agenda and Economic Development. He discharged his solemn constitutional duty by articulating the achievements of the Government under the Big Four Agenda, which is anchored on the four intentions which the Government pursues relentlessly. The first to be liberated is the urban dwellers from poverty of dignity caused by poor housing and inadequate services. Second, is the transitioning of young people from being just earners of wages to owners of capital. Third, is ensuring food safety, security and finally jump-starting our economy from consumption-based economy to production-based economy. It is not news that some Kenyans are living in deplorable conditions and many do not have basic needs; that is food and shelter. The President recounted these challenges as the foundation for his development agenda. In respect to housing, the Government has made key milestones with the pilot housing project which was a backbone project delivered ahead of schedule and within the budget. Additionally, last year, the Government also concluded the incorporation and successful capitalisation of the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Corporation which is aimed at: Improving mortgage affordability and increasing the number of qualifying borrowers which results in the expansion of the primary mortgage market and home owners in Kenya, while also deepening the capital markets through large-scale medium to long-term refinance options. Hon. Deputy Speaker, the President also highlighted about the reforms that have been achieved in the land sector, especially the processes of digitalisation to improve access to land as a factor for development. Additionally, most critically, he addressed himself on the digitalisation of the courts, with the full operationalisation of the Small Claims Courts which has seen disputes involving Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) being resolved within a record of 60 days, thus freeing up capital locked up in legal disputes. The highlight of the Speech was the Third Economic Stimulus Program which the President stated that there no more locking of the economy to avoid disrupting the economic recovery witnessed after lifting the restrictions with the Third Stimulus Package of over Kshs257 billion as follows: The tea sub-sector: Aiming at safeguarding the gains made in the tea sub-sector, the National Treasury will allocate Kshs1 billion in support of fertiliser subsidies for our tea farmers. The sugar sub-sector where I belong in terms of farming, is aimed at safeguarding the livelihoods of the farmers within our nation’s sugar belt. He directed the National Treasury to allocate an additional Kshs1.5 billion in aid of the sugar sub-sector. That amount will be appropriated towards the maintenance of factories and payment of farmers. Towards the coffee sub-sector, he acknowledged the space of the ongoing reforms in the sub-sector. He directed the National Treasury to allocate Kshs1 billion to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. It will be appropriated towards the completion of ongoing targeted interventions in the coffee sub-sector. 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."
}