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{
    "id": 1520259,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1520259/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 250,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Yatta, WDM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Robert Basil",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "As you just said very well, historical injustices have caused serious disparities in this country. Since 1963, some areas have felt that they do not belong in Kenya. The simple reason is that they have been excluded from matters to do with development, contributed by negative ethnicity or tribalism, which has seriously interfered with resource distribution in this country. Hon. Temporary Speaker, you acknowledge that our budget is never itemised. Those in positions of authority decide where to take resources. That is why some areas have been left out. Can you imagine there are areas in this country with Level 6 hospitals whereas others only have Level 4 hospitals, yet all the people in those regions pay taxes? It is very worrying. That is why I strongly support the Bill. Allow me to underscore the importance of the Equalisation Fund. One simple reason the Bill is critical is that it reduces regional inequalities. For example, people think my Yatta Constituency is better off. Yatta is a semi-arid region. We have not had more than six kilometres of tarmac road since 1963 and yet my people pay taxes like other citizens of this country. More importantly, we will improve basic services through the Bill. By basic services, I refer to health, education, water and other critical services which all citizens of this country deserve. The other important reason why I support the Bill is that through the Fund, we will have some level of economic revitalisation and development in this country, where areas which have been marginalised and people who have been disadvantaged will enjoy economic boosts because of services being delivered to them. Additionally, through the Fund, we will uplift marginalised people and create some parity between the disadvantaged and those who have been enjoying benefits since 1963. As I stated earlier, some people feel excluded. Remember the time when people used to say, “ Pwani si Kenya”? Those in north-eastern thought they should just be left out as they do not feel part of the country. At that level, patriotism has completely faded off simply because they have been ignored. Through this Fund, we will promote national unity, stability, and 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."
}