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{
    "id": 1527112,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1527112/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 262,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ndhiwa, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Martin Owino",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "billions—Ksh33 billion, as he correctly stated—but it cannot be disbursed to rural folks because of lack of infrastructure. I was asking Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal here, we used to have monies from the Swedish International Cooperation Development Agency (SIDA), Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and others, and they were taken to the counties. Why do we have a delay on this? The effect is enormous. For example, if you look at community health workers, which I champion… I know the importance of early detection of diseases so they can be treated on time, without paralysing the system in the villages. Early detection of diseases is done by community health promoters, and that has been proven. It is much cheaper than dealing with progressed and full-blown diseases in tertiary care yet these arrears and allowances are held here. Hon. Temporary Speaker, no one can work without compensation. These people pay school fees, upkeep of their families and more. However, what is more intriguing is that when these funds are held here, many issues arise. One, they are not just grants and shares from the national Government; some of these are loans, meaning we are paying for loans that are held here and not being used for work in the rural settings. Some of the monies held here are also salary arrears for health workers. In my view, it appears we are shooting ourselves in the foot. At one point, we are giving hospitals, especially Levels 6 and 5, the budget to deal with the conditions that we should have prevented at the primary healthcare level. Money from DANIDA and similar agencies are supposed to improve primary healthcare, but it is being held here. As a result, we will have progressed conditions that could have been avoided. Some of the monies are also for climate resilience, agriculture and food systems resilience, which could make the rural economy more vibrant. However, the monies are held here. As a result, when this is not acted upon quickly—I urge Members to do so—it kills rural economies, interferes with the health of our people and also disrupts businesses. This is because some of these development partners are supporting small-scale businesses. We are also interfering with equity and equality, which continues to distance itself as time goes on. Many people are sinking into poverty, while a few, living opulently, are at the helm. I think it was wrong for institutions like the Senate and the CoG to demand that their Ksh10 billion be added to this Bill for it to pass. That does not make sense to me. It seems they are also shooting themselves in the foot. Why do we not just pass this Bill, release the money and fight the other battles separately and not with money that is holding people’s lives? I urge Members, as I know the necessity and urgency of releasing this money, to pass this Bill as soon as possible. I thank you for the time, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}