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{
"id": 1581325,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1581325/?format=api",
"text_counter": 103,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "We must be realistic about the fact that all these resources we are raising locally; the Kshs28 billion we are now proposing to send to counties. When I was engaging with the Chairperson, he told me something that I truly saw as leadership. It got to a point where he said we are walking out of the mediation. This was because the National Assembly had declared that we could not move beyond Kshs409 billion. When they walked out, he said that we will not reconvene and that the minimum we wanted is Kshs420 billion. The first thing that came to mind was this: I remember sitting right here when the media was awash with reports that the then Governor of Mandera County was allegedly funding people to make it difficult to ensure that their county did not lose money. When I sat down with him, he explained that we were fighting to make sure that no county had been left behind. He refused to go back to the mediation committee until the money was increased. He said that even if I am to go and reconvene this meeting, the least I can agree to is ensuring that small counties such as West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet as well as Vihiga County, which have been left behind, receive affirmative action. He insisted that if they are not willing to increase the amount from the Kshs409 billion they were proposing, the only way he could sit there is by increasing the money. Remember, the Chairperson is not from Elgeyo Marakwet; he is from a different county. Luckily, it came down to Kshs415 billion, which took care of the Kshs4.46 billion allocated as affirmative action to smaller counties. That is leadership and that is what we need to fight for. That is the reality we need to be talking about. As I stand here today, I am quite happy that the Senate, which is the House of union, these good, distinguished men and women who went there to sit down to discuss to defend the counties, ensured two things: One, that for a single year, the fund moved by Kshs28 billion. That supported all our county. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as you can hear, my voice is not very good due to certain challenges. However, I had to come here today to support this because I know that the people of Narok County will be able to receive more money during this financial year. I know that the people of Elgeyo Marakwet, with my vote, will also receive more funding. The people of Embu, Tharaka-Nithi and those who come to Nairobi to seek a living will likewise benefit from increased revenue. As I support this, I also want to make a few statements on how we move forward. It is imperative that we now become cognisant of the danger we face if we continue ignoring the plight of Gen Z. They are speaking a language that most of us do not understand, not because we are incapable of understanding, but because we choose not to. Many of us have already lined our pockets, live in manicured mansions and drive huge cars. I am certain that there is not a single Senator here driving a car worth less than US$70,000 or roughly Kshs10 million. That is a fact. It becomes difficult sometimes for us to truly understand the problems Gen Z are facing. They are not sure what tomorrow holds. Yesterday, I read something that compelled me to respond. I almost wrote back, but I said to myself that I will drive down to Kajiado to Ildamat, to the home of the senior, distinguished gentleman, Mr. Atwoli. He had said it was time to move the animals 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."
}