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{
"id": 1202314,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1202314/?format=api",
"text_counter": 205,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Wajir County, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Fatuma Jehow",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I would like to congratulate you and the Speaker for your recent election. My name is Fatuma Jehow from Wajir County. I want to make my maiden speech, and I would like to dedicate it to the women of Kenya and the mothers of Wajir. I would like to thank the good people of Wajir County for their overwhelming support and for giving me this opportunity to serve them in the 13th Parliament. I do not take their trust and confidence for granted. As such, I will endeavour to champion their rights, bring unity, equity, equality, transparency and accountability; and to ensure peaceful co-existence among ourselves across Kenya and beyond our borders. Today, I am sure the good people of Wajir County are fixated on their televisions or phones to watch how their daughter will participate in the first sitting. I assure them that as humanly possible, I will serve them and the county diligently with the last ounce of courage, strength and blood left in my body. I am here for a reason, and it is an interesting story. I want to tell you about pressing social issues. It is not about climate change or our path to attaining nuclear energy or power. It is not about party politics. I would like to talk about our respective roles and responsibilities as we fulfil our campaign manifestos. Hon. Members, we must deliver on our mandate to the millions of Kenyans who put their trust in us. We must give them hope and reassure them that bei ya unga na mafutaitashuka . It is about time that we, as Members of this 13th noble House, rise to the occasion and work together in a bid to attain unity, equity, equality, transparency, accountability and bring progressive-oriented programmes to the communities that we represent. Why do I tell you this? My objective is to highlight the plight of our mothers, single mothers, widows, sisters and daughters, some who were raised as orphans and others who are taking care of orphans right now. Some of us were lucky to be brought up by single mothers who are strong, hardworking and resilient. To all our mothers, I cannot thank you enough. In Wajir County, a majority of breadwinners for their respective families are our mothers, who toil day and night to ensure that their children have something on the table. They pay keen interest in their progress in school and madrassas . They give their all to make sure that our children are happy. I am sure that, that is what an ordinary mother in Kenya does. Despite the trials and tribulations that our mothers face, they are our mothers, and they all represent the women of this country. My story is a testament to inspire orphans, single mothers and widows who are currently struggling with their daily activities. Today, the young orphan from Bulla Jogoo in Wajir East is all grown up and she fought all odds to be here. It was not easy. This is by the grace of Allah and the sheer hard work of our mothers. I encourage them to never give up. Your efforts and patience shall yield fruits. My prayers and best wishes are with you. Owing to the above, I challenge this House to wipe away the tears of pain our mothers have endured over the years. Let us work together to bring joy and prosperity to women, youth and Persons living with Disabilities (PWDs). We should empower them through actions or policies to cushion them during these trying times, necessitated by the ongoing drought and inflation that have resulted in the skyrocketing prices of basic daily commodities. As such, as a matter of priority, we should be deeply concerned about these vulnerable Kenyans. We should work on how we can reduce taxes and prices of day-to-day assorted food items and fuel prices. My fellow Hon. Members, we should ask ourselves whether we are a gift to this world and our respective constituents or a burden. I strongly believe that we are a gift. As such, we should also pay attention to malnutrition, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), status of women empowerment and their rights, among others. Allow me to update you on the current drought situation in Wajir County. This is where I ask our President that, just like the Hustler Fund, we would like to consider a drought fund. The Arid and Semi-Arid areas (ASALs) of this country are currently facing severe drought. As The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for informationpurposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}