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{
    "id": 1521353,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521353/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 234,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Dorothy Muthoni",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "where they reside. There are areas where children do not know what electricity looks like. These are the areas we are speaking out for. This Fund is, therefore, crucial to these areas. Hon. Temporary Speaker, surprisingly, the areas that have been gazetted to benefit from this Fund are not necessarily the ones this Fund should reach. We have other areas that have been left behind but still require it. However, we should not be selfish and say they will not benefit. Let there be a thorough audit when this particular Committee sits down. This will enable us to map out this country and see, other than these areas that are now benefiting, which other areas deserve to have this Fund. I will speak out on the other counties the Fund will go to. I will move an amendment so that this money goes to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF). I am making this proposal because when I came to Parliament, I had an opportunity to serve on the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee. Without any fear of contradiction, I am a witness to the fact that the NG-CDF is properly utilised in the majority of our constituencies. When you go to some of these areas and want to know what the county governments have done with their funds, I say a resounding nay. So, I will move that amendment, which will carry the day. Let us go back and do a thorough audit on where this money was earlier disbursed to find out if it was utilised in the right way or if it was just given out and people took advantage of it. I also propose that, as much as it is in the Bill, we should have uniformity in how projects are being done in these areas. It beats logic when you are given money to build classrooms and you build makeshift ones. This means we will never move from asking for this Equalisation Fund. Let us have uniformity in how these projects are administered so we move from these areas completely. You cannot remain marginalised for life. If we do things the wrong way, these areas will be marginalised. Then, we continue calling for the Equalisation Fund for the same purpose that has already been done. Let us look at the percentage of development in these areas that have benefited. If this Fund is properly utilised, it would be a game changer in sustainable development. It will promote environment-friendly and inclusive areas in this country in terms of development. I want to speak to areas like Nairobi, which we assume is well-developed. There are pockets of areas which require this Equalisation Fund. However, I applaud the Government of Kenya for introducing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) programmes, such as the housing project it is undertaking. It will be a game changer in most areas because it will give equal opportunities to everyone. Citizens will own decent and affordable houses. The Government is doing its part. Let the people who use this money also do it the best way possible. Australia has an Equalisation Fund. When you visit there, you will see what their Fund does to bring people closer. If we use this Equalisation Fund properly, the inequality gap will be lessened. Let this money be disbursed in a timely manner so that people do not vet projects, conduct public participation and then, at the end of the day, finish two, three or four years before this money hits their accounts. I strongly support this Bill. Let us re-look at other areas like Meru where we are in dire need of this Equalisation Fund. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}