Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 1194527,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1194527/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 81,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Rarieda, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Otiende Amollo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I think Hon. Kaluma has just arrived in the country. Hon. Speaker, the drafting is very good. If you look at the draft proposal in Clause 204 (a), it is appropriately placed. This is because it comes immediately after the provisions of the Fund that is similarly created for the purpose of bringing areas that had been left behind. If you look at this draft, it acknowledges that this is a National Government Fund and proposes to increase it to 5 per cent. I think this is appropriate. The more it is, the more Kenyans benefit; not us. Importantly, is the drafting in terms of it being 5 per cent of the annual division of revenue. As we all know, there has been an issue in terms of what we would call jerrymeandering by the National Government. Counties have suffered and I think this is very good for us. However, I also want to ask the two Hon. Members to consider Clause 204 (2). It proposes that the Fund be allocated and considered under Article 206 (2) (c). I want to caution that the effect of that drafting is essentially to make this Fund a charge on the Consolidated Fund. I do not think that is what they intended. We do not need to go that way. Once we have put the percentages and we have the budget making body, it becomes automatic. We do not need to make it a charge on the Consolidated Fund. I support the idea of creating the Senate Oversight Fund and the Affirmative Action Fund. We can debate the percentages. Kindly, add me two more minutes, Hon. Speaker. I urge them to consider restricting it in two ways: one, it cannot be a fund to use. So, if you are the Senator for Siaya, you cannot use monies from the fund in Mombasa. These funds should be restricted to the county where you are elected, which so far is not the case. Two, there must be a distinction between elected Senators, elected Members and nominated Members. Nominated Members may not have equal responsibility as those elected. This is a good initiative. This is an area that requires bipartisan support and consensus. Even though it is a Money Bill, we expect the National Treasury to support us. This is where we must assert ourselves as Parliament. If we cannot assert ourselves here, we will never do so anywhere. Let it be the first constitutional amendment. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}