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{
    "id": 1440046,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1440046/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 262,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mwingi West, WDM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Charles Nguna",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me this opportunity to add my voice on this matter that is immortal in this country. First, I would like to thank the Committee for the work it has done. I also thank the Senate, where the Bill originated. I recall the CEO of the Fund, Mr Guyo, met our Committee on this matter. Some of the challenges he told us touch on many aspects. This Fund was established constitutionally in 2010 to address disparities among counties in terms of development, on issues to deal with water, electricity, healthcare, and roads. We have heard there are challenges of implementation. The delay in release of funds by the National Treasury has been the main issue. As we speak, in less than six years, we have a deficit of Ksh40 billion, which has not been remitted to counties. We need to address this issue and also inform the National Treasury that this is a constitutional Fund and its implementation must be done to avoid a lacuna in our Constitution. Another issue, in terms of implementation, is that we need to challenge the CRA to come up with a proper marginalisation policy. From this list, some of the counties that benefit have similar characteristics like those of my Constituency of Mwingi West, but we do not benefit from the Equalisation Fund. We need to come up with other criteria of selecting areas that are marginalised. Without argument, Mwingi West is one of the most marginalised areas in this country. There is no explanation why Garissa, Tana River and most of the constituencies surrounding Mwingi get the Equalization Fund, but Mwingi West does not. We have been told that we are developed. The majority of the population in my constituency lack access to good roads, clean water, electricity and health facilities. We need to come up with a clear policy of adding more areas that are marginalised. We need to press the National Treasury hard for the arrears to this Fund to be fully remitted to benefit Kenyans, without necessarily delaying them. With those few remarks, I support, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}