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{
"id": 1234635,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1234635/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Lomenen",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 2940,
"legal_name": "James Lomenen Ekomwa",
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"content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to be so specific. I do not know why the decision in the Sessional Paper No.10 of 1965 was made. That Sessional Paper denied some counties the potential of advancing or developing. It is not even written in any scripture, Quran, Bible or any Constitution why these counties were marginalised. To be logical, areas like Marsabit, Mandera, Turkana are about 77000Km2. Marsabit and Turkana put together is like half of Kenya. The reason we were denied this opportunity of development is not known to date. It is our time. I know the first reason I support this Bill is because of funds that are allocated to Turkana County; I appreciate it. However, in reality, the funds were supposed to be three or four times more than the previous years when the area did not get the allocation of the Equalization Fund. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, 50 years ago, the county and other areas that are marginalised were denied justice. The first time that we saw a tarmacked road was just five years ago, yet this money was meant for electricity, roads and health facilities. These funds are supposed to be allocated to marginalised counties, so that those counties can be at par with other counties. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, up to now, some counties are still in the dark ages. The Bible states that ‘ light and darkness will never remain the same’ meaning, these counties that are in darkness will never be at par with the developed counties. The most painful experience I had one time as a Member of Parliament is when I crossed the river without some of my clothes on because there was no bridge. The expectant mothers, while crossing the river, lost their children. The elderly wanted to access a health centre, not a hospital, but they too lost their lives. It is not just sympathy; it is a deliberate action to confirm that every part of this nation enjoys privileges and rights enshrined in the Constitution. That is not enough as in these areas people are still struggling with basic needs like health, water and food. They cannot afford a meal a day. That is why we are asking, “When will they enjoy that right to food, health services and electricity”? As the cost of electricity is going high right now, we wonder how these areas will actually afford it. I doubt they can afford it. The other most important point is that water is a problem in the marginalised areas and that is why we require this money, so that the citizens of these marginalised areas can enjoy their rights. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on the issue of electricity, most of these areas are in the dark because they have not seen an electric wire. So, when will they see electricity? This is the right time for them to see electricity. Rural electrification is supposed to be proper. There is Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) and Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC). Some of these areas have not even seen a post erected by Kenya Power or REREC. They do not know. That is why it is not their problem; it is deliberate. There is a certain dictum where when you are travelling from Turkana to Nairobi, people say, “I am going to Kenya.” This is because Nairobi is developed. When roads, schools, health centres and other important amenities were being built in Nairobi, these other areas were in darkness. They were just taking care of their animals."
}