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{
    "id": 1520090,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1520090/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 81,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Bura, UPIA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Yakub Adow",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I would like to contribute to the Bill on the administration of the Equalisation Fund. Since its inception, the Equalisation Fund, which was a very noble idea, has been watered down. Even the definition of ‘marginalised areas’ has since changed from what was initially conceived as marginalised areas. This has taken away funds from the 13 counties that had initially been targeted, which had been left out of this country’s development agenda since Independence. The number of marginalised counties has now been increased to more than 30. Therefore, there is need to redefine ‘marginalised areas.’ There are areas in this country where people still do not have access to basic needs like water and infrastructure. Another issue with the Equalisation Fund is implementation delays. As we have witnessed during the current parliamentary term, not much has taken place in terms of development projects. Leaving the management of the Equalisation Fund to the counties is like sending good money after bad money. We have seen how counties have been mismanaging development funds. The Equalisation Fund is of great importance to some communities like the one I come from in north-eastern Kenya, which has faced years of marginalisation, and where there are gaps in development. Handing the management of the Equalization Fund to the counties will be counter-productive. Another concern we have is expiry of the Equalisation Fund. The Fund is supposed to run for 20 years, from 2010 to 2030. We would like this period to be extended because the Fund has not achieved what it was designed to achieve. In conclusion, we need to have a clearer and more inclusive criterion in identifying marginalised areas. We also need to go back to the drawing board and ensure that those counties 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."
}