Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1532444,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1532444/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 4697,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tharaka, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. George Murugara",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "of speech that this was equitable because it was possibly done in a very covert manner behind our backs. We did not know what was being done because it was covered. However, it is now coming to light that there could have been a skewed allocation of resources to favour certain regions to the disadvantage of other regions. Let the National Treasury now come out, especially for the rural marginalised constituencies, including my own Tharaka Constituency. We need to see resources being allocated so that we can also catch up with the areas that are developed in the country. Hon. Speaker, we need to see resources going to energy. We have allocated resources both in the Supplementary Estimates and at the BPS. Areas whose connectivity percentages are very low must be considered. We have areas that need to be watered. Our level of water availability is not the same in as much as water is devolved. The national Government actually makes the policy and budgeting for water, and it should rein in even county governments to ensure that there is equity when it comes to water supply in various areas. We cannot debate these Supplementary Estimates without mentioning roads. It cannot be that only certain areas of this country will be developed in terms of road network when others are left behind. As we look forward to the next BPS, which is the Budget for the year 2025/2026, we want to see equity such that areas that do not enjoy tarmacked roads are allocated sufficient funds for tarmacking roads. It is not fair to have almost 100 per cent of certain areas networked with tarmac roads while other parts of the country have nearly zero tarmac roads. That cannot be fair. It cannot be just. That cannot be equitable in any way. Hon. Speaker, allow me to speak for some of the agencies that are under the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, including the Judiciary – which is an independent arm of the Government. I thank the Liaison Committee for making certain provisions to ensure the Judiciary is well funded through this Supplementary Budget and the BPS. The Judiciary has always complained that, as Parliament, we do not take care of them sufficiently and that the lion’s share of the Budget goes to the Executive, followed by Parliament. They say we are a little bit selfish when it comes to allocating ourselves money, and that we give them what they consider to be paltry and insufficient resources. I thank the Liaison Committee for the provisions you have made for the Judiciary in this Supplementary Budget and the BPS. We urge the National Treasury to sustain the same because there has been additional funding to ensure that the Judiciary succeeds. We require new judges, new magistrates and new staff. That is why we have made those provisions. We also require courthouses in all constituencies in the country. It is high time that people are served in their local areas. They do not have to walk long distances to acquire legal or judicial services. Let judicial services get as near the people as they can. This should also apply to all government agencies, including the State Law Department, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and even the Witness Protection Agency. When representatives of these entities appeared before the Departmental Committee that I chair during the Budget hearings, they talked a lot about their desire to establish their presence in the counties to be visible and render services there. With those remarks, I support and urge Members to pass this Motion."
}