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{
    "id": 1582620,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1582620/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 606,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Samburu North, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Letipila Eli",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Let me paraphrase: NG-CDF had to build the schools from scratch. There are places in this country where children still study under trees. There are places in this country without chiefs’ offices. There are also places in this country where critical and essential services are still beyond the reach of the people. Entrenching NG-CF in the Constitution will protect it and make it a right of the people. There are people who say that NG-CDF should be scrapped. I do not know which planet they live in. They certainly have not visited some parts of this country. That is like saying places like Parkati, Nteremuka, Barsaloi and Keno in Samburu North, where children have to travel more than 50 kilometres to access basic education, are not part of this country. When you say we scrap a Fund that brings services closer to those people because it is unconstitutional, then I do not know what Constitution that person is talking about. Yes, there are places in this country which have enjoyed education and security infrastructure since Independence, while other parts of this country still live in the 21st century. We must raise our voices. This is a House for the welfare of the society and the just government of the people. This is where the welfare of the people, even those ones who live in far-flung areas of this country, is taken care of and protected. There are places in this country where NG-CDF is the only development fund that is known. In Samburu County, for example, the first feel that we belong to this country was post- devolution. Post-devolution is when parts of this country feel that they belong to this country. We can get our share of the cake. We are also taxpayers. As Hon. Moroto has said, we are not ready to go back to the times when we had to beg the Executive to remember our people. If NG-CDF is entrenched in the Constitution, it will give decency to our people. It will give them their fair share of resources of the country. NG-CDF is a critical development tool in some parts of this country. It is not an after-thought. It is as critical as water. It is as critical as health. Educating children is a critical need in this country. Children from marginalised parts of the country are very bright. I studied in Baragoi Primary School and children used to be brought by their parents. A child would be brought to Standard One and their parents would leave him or her in school. When the school closed, the child would not go home because the lifestyle we lead as pastoralists is nomadic. When schools closed, home would not be where it used to be. Some children would be in school for the whole year. NG-CDF has given decency to such children. It builds schools close to homes and it brings them light through education. We are building critical infrastructure like chiefs’ offices closer to the people, which brings governance closer to the people. Constituencies like Samburu North did not enjoy an inch of the national electricity grid. I see my time is running out. I can talk about the issue for a long time. I fully support this Bill. The public already endorsed it by 95 per cent. The public has confidence in it because their needs are taken care of. They see the executed projects. It is one of the most transparent Funds we have. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I fully support."
}