Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1194312,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1194312/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 284,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tetu, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Geoffrey Wandeto",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Let me go straight to my point. First all, I thank Hon. Gichimu and Hon. Mule for bringing this Legislative proposal to the Floor of the House. It is very important. I do not want to belabour what my colleagues have said in terms of the importance of the NG-CDF. Hon. Mule did a fantastic job yesterday when he gave us glowing numbers in terms of the contributions of the NG-CDF, such as construction of classrooms, purchase of buses, bursaries, construction of police stations and dormitories and much more. I do not wish to repeat all that. It is important to know that as we sit here, there are thousands of children who are not going to school. I am specifically talking about my Tetu Constituency. They depend on bursaries from the NG-CDF kitty to pay for their school fees. Hon. Temporary Speaker, it is important we note that while these children are not going to school, the children of those who have stopped the disbursement of this fund are most likely going to school in private or international schools. It is important that they spare a thought for the poor children of this nation. I know that the Supreme Court and the lower courts declared that this fund is unconstitutional based on the 2013 Act. I am aware of the spirit and the letter of the law. If the letter of the law is indeed interpreted strictly, it may have led to the verdict that was given by the court. But the spirit of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was to help poor Kenyans. It was not for the benefit of Members as many people imagine, but was to ensure that children go to school and that, as a country, we meet our goals especially in education. As we speak, we are now actively undermining the 100 per cent transition to secondary schools because many of the children who joined Form I have now been sent away and may not have returned to school. We are undermining the sustainable development goals which this country subscribes to; Goal No. 4 on quality education. It is important that we have this fund reinstated as soon as possible. Just like those who have contributed before me have said, there is no law that has stopped the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Treasury and National Planning from releasing funds to this day. Therefore, we call upon the CS to release funds immediately so that we return those students to school and to finish the projects that are being done by CDF. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I now wish to comment on the amendment that has been proposed here. I would suggest that we amend Article 204 (a) (1) which states thus: 204A. (1) There is established the National Government Constituencies Development Fund which shall be a national government fund consisting of monies of an amount of not less than five per centum of all the national government’s share of revenue as divided by the annual Division of Revenue Act enacted pursuant to Article 218. It should be changed to read “total revenue”. This will mean that we will be working with a proper denominator as far as the calculation of the 5 per cent is concerned. On Article 204(B), I propose that the proponents of this Motion consider changing Article (1) which reads; 204B. (1) There is established the Senate Oversight Fund which shall be a national government fund consisting of monies of an amount of not less than one hundredth per centum of all the national government’s share of revenue as divided by the annual Division of Revenue Act enacted pursuant to Article 218. I would propose that it reads; “There is established the Parliamentary Oversight Fund which shall be a national government fund consisting of monies of an amount of not less than one hundredth per centum of all the national government’s share of revenue as divided by the annual Division of Revenue Act enacted pursuant to Article 218. This will ensure that this not only covers the Senate from an oversight point of view, but also covers the National Assembly. 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."
}