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{
    "id": 1502510,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1502510/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 116,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nandi Hills, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Bernard Kitur",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to contribute to the Motion on the State of the Nation Address that was made by the President. In accordance with Article 132(1)(c), the President is required every year to lay before the House a report on all measures taken, and progress made towards realisation of national values and principles of governance, international obligations as well as on the state of national security. At the outset, the President painted a broad picture of a positive outlook of our country on account of right decisions that the Kenyan Kwanza Government has made, him being the leader of the Government. In the overview, it is common knowledge to everyone that all macro- economic indicators are positive. Take the easy ones, for instance. In 2022, when we came into leadership, the Kenya Shilling exchange rate to the US Dollar was at about Ksh160. Currently, it stands at about Ksh130. It shows clearly that there are positive gains in that regard. There were a lot of complaints during that time about the high cost of living. Importation of goods was extremely expensive and that scenario had a negative ripple effect on the local market. Over time, we have seen a decrease in the inflation rate from 9.6 per cent to 2.7 per cent largely because of the prevailing favourable climatic conditions and right public policies that have been implemented, including the policy on fertilizer subsidy. The subsidy has led to an increase in maize production in our country. In 2022, about 34 million bags of maize were produced. In 2023, we produced 47 million bags. Expectations for 2024 stand at 74 million bags. A society that has food is able to have productive communities. We note that the sugar industry was on a downward trend during that period. There are now 17 factories that are up and running, with four being refurbished. Kenya has always been an importer of sugar, but the production has since exceeded our current need of 40,000 metric tonnes. We now produce 84,000 metric tonnes. These are very positive indicators of the right decisions that the President has made in the last few years. We are now seeing the results. This also disproves the naysayers. The macro-economic indicators show that foreign reserve now stands at Ksh9.5 billion. In the last 10 years, we have had about 4.5 to 4 months reserve cover. This means that investors are assured of meeting their US Dollar requirement locally. This is a challenge that we faced when we came to power. It was a very serious issue then. Financial institutions have since been reducing the interest rates that are charged on commercial loans. What does that mean? It means that you can access capital cheaply to do businesses within the country. This is a positive indicator worth mentioning and celebrating. I come from a region where we have lately embraced coffee and dairy farming. I was very impressed…"
}