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{
    "id": 145914,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/145914/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 188,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Mbau",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 182,
        "legal_name": "Elias Peter Mbau",
        "slug": "elias-mbau"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me a chance to also add my voice to this national debate, which carries a lot of weight. It gives the manner in which the resources of this country are going to be expended for the next one year and, probably, beyond. First of all, I want to record my congratulations to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for coming up with a hat trick in the manner in which he devolved the national cake to every corner of this Republic, to ensure that we achieve the objectives that many politicians and leaders have been clamouring for, for a long, long time. For many years, Kenyans have been yearning for a new Constitution. It has all along been a question of ensuring that resources are distributed across the country in a fair and determinable manner. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I want to underline that in a situation where Kenyans pay taxes for maintenance of development activities in this country, it becomes imperative that Kenyans also get to know the principles and parameters that are used to apportion and distribute the taxes and values accruing from those taxes to them. I want to appreciate that the Minister for Finance was able to identify five critical and fundamental principles which he used as yardsticks to ensure that resources go to every part of the country. That is why, indeed, every hon. Member who has stood to contribute to this debate, and the members of the public at large, have made very positive commendations and attributes to the Minister. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, the principles include ensuring that the Budget achieves a fair and stable macro-economic environment in which every willing and hard-working Kenyan can derive his or her livelihood and returns in a fair manner, without wanting to be guided by other people. It is a question of ensuring that the environment is conducive for those who want to do business and those that want to engage in productive activities. There is also the question of ensuring that infrastructure is not only controlled by the Central Government but by the constituencies. Each constituency will now receive a minimum of Kshs105 million to take care of its infrastructure. This is a great idea because it will ensure that business and other productive activities are undertaken. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the question of equitable distribution of the national cake is a great principle. However, it is important when we talk of equitable distribution of resources to also think about equity. “Equity” implies ensuring the concept of “one man, one vote.” It is true that whereas we have 210 constituencies in this country, their representation is not equitably equal. For instance, when we talk about setting up a centre of academic excellence in each constituency, cases will be found where in certain constituencies, you will have only one secondary school in existence as of now because of their population. You will also find so many secondary schools in constituencies where the population is, 200,000 or 300,000 people. Therefore, you will have difficulty in deciding how to expend the Kshs30 million that has been allocated. I urge the Ministry to consider very seriously, the question of equity because it is important. Every Kenyan must feel fairly treated."
}