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{
"id": 1613387,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1613387/?format=api",
"text_counter": 4427,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Eldas, JP",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Adan Keynan",
"speaker": null,
"content": "opportunity, Northern Kenya and the Lake Region must get a share of the national cake. I confirm that out of the deliberations, this Budget will be different from the other budgets. Clear provisions on water, infrastructure and health have been made for those regions. Sometimes, we say civility is not a sign of cowardice. What the Committee has done is to look at the whole budget-making framework and craft it in a way that will allow every region to get a piece of the national cake. Therefore, the 2025/2026 budget is crafted within a framework of fiscal consolidation that is intended to strike a delicate balance between stimulating economic growth and curbing the rise in public debt. The Report also seeks to enhance domestic resource mobilisation, streamline expenditures and adopt prudent borrowing strategies. It also underscores the Government's commitment to reducing the fiscal deficit and safeguarding the long-term debt sustainability. Therefore, this proposal is anchored on transformative pillars. You have seen provisions for agriculture, food security, micro, small, and medium enterprises, affordable housing, universal healthcare, digital superhighway and creative economy. These are things that were lacking. This approval process is the cornerstone for our democratic governance, ensuring transparency, accountability and citizen trust in the public finance management. Through the legislative scrutiny - and this is what we have done as a Committee - Parliament plays a pivotal role in ensuring that funds are directed towards priority needs. For some of us who come from a region that has been historically marginalised, when we see allocations for particular sections, we feel good. Allow me to dwell on this road from Isiolo to Modogashe that has World Bank funding. The road from Modogashe to Samatar was an annuity programme which has been gladly sorted out by the Government. From Samatar to Wajir, they did not have funding, and there was anticipation that the Arab Development Fund would do something. Right now, under this Budget, there is a clear budgetary provision for the tarmacking of that particular section. Kudos to the Head of the Ministry of Roads and Transport, Mr Chirchir, and the Committee for that particular clear provision. Equally, there is a particular area that has been missing, and we will be pushing the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. I will be asking the Budget and Appropriation Committee, led by Hon. Atandi, to make a clear, outright determination that Northern Kenya must be connected to the national grid. Northern Kenya comprises 70 per cent of the landmass of the Republic of Kenya and yet, the national grid ends in Garissa. This is a high time, but because there will be no time when there will be enough resources, I will be asking the Chairman, through the subsequent budgetary allocations, to make that clear determination. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I know you are a seasoned lawyer. The Equalisation Fund, as intended, is not being applied. I want to request the leadership of the broad-based Government, the Northern Frontier Counties and the counties that ought to benefit from that fund, to urgently come together and resolve some of the legislative challenges, so that we get a proper avenue and mechanism for utilising that Fund. As it is right now, the time is coming to an end and yet, there is nothing to account for on how the funds were collected and utilised. Very soon, the Kenyan public will ask us whether the provision of this Article has enabled us to catch up with other Kenyans, whom we have called the ‘haves’ over the years. The other bit is Vision 2030. Vision 2030 was a road-map to get this country to another level. Unfortunately, that is not being followed. Can we come back to Vision 2030, so that a clear road-map is also applied?"
}