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{
    "id": 1235246,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1235246/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 362,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Tobiko",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I thank you for this opportunity. I waited yesterday until close of business to contribute to this debate on the Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill. Nonetheless, I am glad and appreciate the opportunity to speak to it today. The Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill, 2023 is long overdue. Therefore, I rise to support the passage of this Bill and an immediate implementation of the same, once it goes through the rigors of a normal Bill. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for a long time, after the promulgation of the Kenya Constitution, 2010, Kenyans from those marginalized areas were excited. Finally, there seemed to be a fund that was going to be an affirmative action to address the historical injustices and low levels of development in such areas. However, it is surprising that the National Treasury has always found reason and excuses not to implement this fund. It has been a game of musical chairs in the National Treasury. It is one reason after the other. Sometimes, it is constituencies and the next time it is either wards or sub- locations. The Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) finds and applies different parameters every day. That way it gets reasons for extension of time and, therefore, not implementing this Fund until the expiry of its time since this Fund has a closure time as allowed by the Constitution. Therefore, today, we either make sure that the National Treasury releases the money, which was meant for marginalised areas for the last 10 years in bulk or extends the time for the operationalization of the Equalization fund. I take this opportunity to congratulate the now sitting Governor of Samburu, His Excellency Jonathan Lati Lelelit. I think it was in the 11th Parliament, where he tried to operationalise the Equalization Bill. He brought the issue of areas that have now finally been accepted by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) as parameters for"
}