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{
    "id": 1232561,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1232561/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 446,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wambua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13199,
        "legal_name": "Enoch Kiio Wambua",
        "slug": "enoch-kiio-wambua"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity to also contribute to the Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill, Senate Bills of 2023. I wish to begin by saying that this is long overdue. As previous Senators have said in their contribution, this is a Bill that should have been brought to the Senate at the return of devolution or the House of the Senate in 2013. I say this because one of the issues that successive governments have been struggling with is the question of even distribution of resources to counties. The failure of which, has given birth to regions that were referred to as marginalised. An admission on our part as leaders and Government is that we have not done a good job in ensuring that the resources that are collected nationally are shared equitably in a way that people across the country enjoy the fruits of development Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Article 204 of the Constitution is very clear on the amounts of money that should go to this fund. It is 0.5 per cent of revenue that is collected nationally. Therefore, the question that Sen. Mumma is raising is a matter that we cannot debate. The National Treasury cannot and must never be allowed to decide how much money should go into the fund or slice off, for whatever function outside the fund as prescribed in Article 204. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we have walked a long journey in getting to where we are today. When I joined the Senate in the year 2017 to my dismay, I was told that Kitui County was not in the list of marginalized counties. Therefore, we were never supposed to benefit from this fund. We engaged the CRA. I remember having a meeting with CRA in their offices where I quarreled on behalf of the people of Kitui County. This is not something that somebody should be proud of. If you walk outside this building and, probably, ask people at random to tell you some of the areas that are dry in this country, probably, out of ten people, six or seven, even those who have not been there will mention Kitui. Therefore, when I came here and was told that Kitui County does not qualify, I was terrified. We engaged in a serious fight. I am happy now, that the conversation has changed from marginalized counties to marginalized areas or villages in counties such as Chuluni Ward in Kitui East. In fact, the day before yesterday, I had a conversation with the Member of County Assembly (MCA) of Chuluni Ward. He was very excited that finally his ward has been included in the list of marginalized areas. He is not happy because he is a leader of an area that is marginalized, but at least there is now hope that some money will go down there to assist his people. We have Chuluni, Endau Malalani, Mutitu/Kaliku Voo/Kyamatu and Zombe/Mwitika Wards. In total, Kshs178 million will be going to Kitui East Constituency to assist the specified areas of roads, water, health and electricity. For that, we can only be grateful and hopeful that before this money finds their way to areas where"
}