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{
    "id": 1520180,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1520180/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 171,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marsabit County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Naomi Waqo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to add my voice to this very important debate on the Equalisation Fund. This Fund was established as a result of Article 204(1) of the Constitution. It is made up of one half per cent of all the revenue collected by the national Government each year. The purpose of the Fund is to promote and enhance marginalised areas. Some areas have been marginalised for many years in terms of development, progress, and growth, especially in the northern and north-eastern parts of Kenya. Those areas have been marginalised in terms of water, road connectivity, health facilities, and electricity. The county governments can improve those areas through those funds so that they can catch up with other parts of the country. In as much as I support this Bill, there is need for us to review the Fund and see how best it can incorporate other areas and their leaders, so that those areas can develop properly. The effects of the Fund can be seen in some areas, but not in others. We must also advocate for proper accountability and inclusivity. Those doing the work should consider both genders and people living with disabilities to ensure that all capable Kenyans participate. In so far as we are concentrating on marginalised areas, we also want individuals in those areas to grow economically. There are businesswomen who have not had the opportunity to do any contract work. This Bill gives them that opportunity. As we look at the growth of the counties, we need to consider how the individuals in those counties can also grow. The method used to allocate money to counties should be used to allocate to the marginalised groups among the marginalised communities. We should give opportunities to those with businesses that have capacity to grow, so that they can gain experience. In time, they will graduate from one level to the other. There is need for us in this august House to look at what is happening and do some research, so that we can determine the areas already covered, the progress made and how to improve. The functions of the secretariat are clearly indicated on Page 11 in Clause 15(2). I paid a lot of attention to the county technical committees in Part IV. Clause 16 states that the Fund shall finance programmes or projects for the provision of various basic services in areas identified as marginalised areas by the Commission on Revenue Allocation such as water and sanitation."
}