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{
    "id": 1247240,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1247240/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 1655,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kabondo Kasipul, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Eve Obara",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support the Report. I support the sentiments of my colleagues on the important role that the NG-CDF has played in our communities. As has been mentioned by almost all the Members who have spoken this afternoon, there is no ward in the 290 constituencies in this country where you will not see an NG-CDF project. The manner in which the Fund is managed is clearly structured and well understood. I appreciate the Members who came ahead of us and put this Fund in place for equity. Today, each region can plan and develop itself in line with its greatest priority needs. If you want to talk about equity and fairness in the distribution of resources in this country, then look at the NG-CDF. I am surprised that any government would delay the release of NG-CDF funds. If the funds were released and activities going on in constituencies, there would be less noise about sufferings of the citizens of this country. Bursaries have been given out, but the money was not sufficient. If it was enough, the burden on parents would have been lessened. I hope our leadership can see this and release this money before the end of this financial year. We had started projects and committed to complete them within the year. As it is, the projects are going to roll over to the next financial year and affect all our plans. I call upon the leadership of this House to see the Cabinet Secretary and impress upon him on the need for this money to be released. There is marked improvement on the operations of the NG-CDF. At the same time, we have also seen that there are certain gaps in the manner in which the Fund is being managed in certain areas. I put the blame squarely at the doorstep of rogue FAMs that have been posted to some constituencies. Further, I call upon the NG-CDF Board to rein in on these officers and remove them from the field and discipline or dismiss them. As one of the affected constituencies, we have reported this matter to the Board. Action has been taken in my constituency, but I believe that this is still a problem in other areas. Even as we churn out these reports, the CEOs for the Boards should take note and weed out these corrupt officers from our midst in the constituencies. Different countries have come to Kenya to benchmark on this model. That speaks volumes about what is going out there about our NG-CDF model. When you see other people talk about it out there, they have much pride in knowing that an African country has managed to decentralise and manage funds for equity. I am still baffled and surprised that the National Treasury is still holding this money. Once again, I appeal and call upon the Government to release the money even as we are going through a very difficult time concerning the Finance Bill 2023. If some of these things are done, then we would have a little consideration on certain aspects of the Bill. As we speak now, my constituents have told me that they do not support the Bill in the manner it has been presented. I, therefore, agree with their sentiments and say no. Thank you very much. I support the Report. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}