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{
"id": 1558502,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1558502/?format=api",
"text_counter": 323,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Sifuna",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "that are raised locally by the county governments. It would be in order because sports is devolved. We are talking about money that is in the hands of the counties only. We can have conversations about grants because immediately you have a fund, it is actually allowed for you to get grants even from national Government. However, we want to ring fence this money in a fund that will be specifically for registered sporting associations. I would like to remind the House that if you look at the proposed Clause 54B(i)(c), other sources of money have been proposed, including grants or donations from the national Government or international agencies for purposes of supporting county sports associations. I am sure, for as long as we ring-fence this money, we will see a lot of support coming in from even private and international organizations to support sporting activities in Nairobi City County. Sen. Mutinda might not have been here, but I had indicated that, in fact, during the committee public hearings, we had agreed with the stakeholders that we will remove any reference to financing of infrastructure from this Bill because that was not the intention. The counties must continue building infrastructure. It is very expensive. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will give you an example. In the last financial year, the Governor of Nairobi City County told us he has put Kshs500 million in the renovation of City Stadium alone. Now, if we pass this Bill, one per cent of the Kshs40 billion that we raise as Nairobi City County through the equitable share and even locally raised revenue, own-source revenue, would amount to about Kshs400 million for all the registered sporting associations in Nairobi City County. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like you to consider the indignity that these sporting associations are going through. That is what we want to fix. That, they should be able to hire halls, pay referees, organize transport and buy food when they travel for these tournaments. That is all we are asking. That is what all this Bill seeks to do. So, I will be bringing an amendment at the third reading stage of this Bill to remove every reference. That is in Clause 54C(d) that had said- “Financing the development of sports facilities including stadia, gymnasiums, buildings and tracks.” By the way, the governors were very happy about this. Do you know why? It is because it would reduce the amount of money that they would have to put in building stadia. They were very happy. I have told you, one stadium alone, for instance, City Stadium, in one financial year, it would cost Kshs500 million. So, if you tell Governor Sakaja that now he has reduced, we have only Kshs300 million to sporting associations and also to build infrastructure, he will be happy. In my opinion, there is a lack of appreciation of the potential of sport to be able to change lives in Kenya. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I conclude by an observation that came from Sen. Mungatana. That this money is not for officials. It is will not support the county team. No. It is for registered county sporting associations, for instance, the county association responsible for football. If you look at Clause 54F(iii)(f), part of the application process is that you have first to be registered. You must show us a certificate of registration issued under the Sports Act. Then you have to give us details and signatories of bank accounts in the name The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}