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{
    "id": 1211108,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1211108/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 105,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tigania West, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) John K. Mutunga",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Looking at the trend of events, we have had women being empowered in this country. Some of them being nominated to positions, so that we can balance out the equation. As we can see, what happens is that those that are nominated, the next time they come as elected. Those who have been given positions to popularise themselves have been able to do so to an extent that they are elected. We see a situation where at the end of the day, this equation will naturally balance out and not only balancing out, there is a likelihood that the women will be more than men. So, gender is not about women; it is about balancing the numbers in view of both genders. We need to note that the actual nominations that happen in the Senate and in the National Assembly have not given us the numbers that we need. So, the formula is necessary. Therefore, I laud this request by His Excellency the President to handle this particular problem. If I may speak briefly to the issue of National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the Senate Oversight Fund and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), I would like Kenyans to understand that NG-CDF does not belong to Members of Parliament. There is a misconception that NG-CDF belongs to Members of Parliament. It does belong to the Members of the National Assembly. It is a Fund that is basically overseen by a Member of the National Assembly. It is a Fund that is very specific to developments described in terms of proportions of use and has targeted development across the constituencies. When you go to every county, you are able to see what NG-CDF has done and that money is not a lot. The NG- CDF is the most significant Fund in most of the constituencies. The design of NG-CDF results in the realisation of outputs and outcomes that are so apparent in those areas. The NGAAF does a lot of good work. Therefore, my request is to consider NGAAF a little more seriously. Let us look into it, look at the legislation and regulations that guide it so that it is better guided than it is right now. It is an important Fund as it is. Let me speak to an omission. I do not know whether everybody looks at it that way. I wish to think about the Ward Development Fund. We have avoided this particular issue and it has become a serious and thorny issue in many counties. As we speak now, Meru County is going through turmoil and a lot of problems because of the Ward Development Fund. We see a situation in future whereby Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) will come up and ask to be considered for a development fund that is specific and targeted to their wards. So, it is something that probably could be looked into at this particular point in time. The Senate Oversight Fund is not really a fund. We are staring at a situation where Members of the National Assembly, members of county assemblies (MCAs) and others who are elected may be looking at an oversight fund or some money to help them oversee their programmes. This is something that this House should practically look into and debate. We should set up a fund that is going to help Senators to do some work in their areas and not necessarily to offer oversight. The oversight role is a shared function between Senators and MCAs."
}