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{
"id": 1521345,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521345/?format=api",
"text_counter": 226,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Njoro, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Charity Chepkwony",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for granting me this opportunity so that I can contribute to the Equalisation Fund (Administration) Bill (Senate Bill No.14 of 2023). First, I thank the team, which was led by our able colleague. Allow me also to make some comments. The Equalisation Fund is very important in this country. However, this money should not only be meant for the arid and semi-arid areas because there is some culture and thinking that sometimes, it is only arid and semi-arid areas which might be purely in need of this Fund. I propose that the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) should go beyond and feature other areas in this country, because even though the Fund was traditionally meant for the marginalised areas, some areas in this country have many challenges. People who have not visited some parts of Rift Valley, including your constituency, Hon. Temporary Speaker and mine, Njoro Constituency, would not understand why we are saying that in future, the Fund should be applied to other parts of the country to bring fairness to other Kenyans. Some parts of my constituency are dry almost every year. We have many challenges, such as people not getting food when others are harvesting in this country. If you visit a place called Kilo in Naishi, Mahiga, Kianjoya, Kamunge’i, Mauche and extend to a place called Piave in Njoro Constituency, you will be shocked at the way people are suffering due to lack of water and challenges in matters food insecurity. This year, when I was going to launch some schools, I had to lobby for food so that I could give to some specific schools because of the challenges they have. Therefore, when discussing equalisation, when the CRA is planning project priorities, let them also go beyond and look at other constituencies that have not been considered previously. What should be most emphasised in the Equalisation Fund is coming up with the right project, the right project cost, timelines for project completion, and proper management of the Fund. As my colleague said, the Fund should be extended to most constituencies. She is from Rift Valley, which has not benefited from this Fund. If they are considered, we expect many irrigation projects to be initiated in areas that are also affected. So many arid and semi-arid areas do not have basic needs like water, health, and roads. In my Constituency, one of the largest in Nakuru County, there is a big challenge with road networks and electricity. We want fairness in the distribution of the Equalisation Fund. Some constituencies still face many challenges regarding health services, electrification, water, roads, and food security. In future, if we are to mainstream this Fund, other areas with many challenges should be considered. The Fund is very important. As Members of Parliament who have undergone many challenges in 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."
}