HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 183445,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/183445/?format=api",
"text_counter": 211,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Mwiru",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 107,
"legal_name": "Alex Muthengi Mburi Mwiru",
"slug": "alex-mwiru"
},
"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the Motion on the Vote of the Ministry of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030. Before I make my contribution, it is important for me to point out a little thing on the title of the Ministry. It looks like the Ministry's mandate will end in 2030. This is, indeed, a very important Ministry whose mandate is to steer forward this country even after 2030. It is, therefore, necessary for us to give it a new code, so that Kenyans do not look at it like it will steer this country up to only 2030. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to underscore the importance of this planning Ministry. Indeed, there cannot be management of development in any particular country without proper planning. There cannot even be prudent management of resources without proper planning. It is only necessary that planning for proper appropriation of our resources is well done. We have had quite a number of policy papers on planning since Independence, but most of them have never been implemented in order to achieve what they were supposed to do. We have been very good scholars without proper implementation of what we have said based on our research for purposes of the development of this country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, looking back to the time of Independence, and comparing ourselves with Far East countries like Bangladesh and Thailand, you will realise that at one point, we were on the same level of development. Today, they have left us behind. Indeed, some of them even copied the papers we had for planning for this particular country. Unfortunately, because we have not been implementing those policy papers, we have always lagged behind. We always talk of equitable distribution of resources in this country. With proper planning, equitable levels of distribution of resources can be attained. Looking at Northern Kenya, for example, together with the area that I represent, namely Tharaka, you realise that these are areas which got Independence together with other areas of this country, but today, those areas are miles 2866 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES October 21, 2008 behind in terms of development. This is just because probably one or a party did not belong to that side. Resources are given on the basis of where or who manages where and when. Under the circumstances, they do not care whether other regions are also part of this country. It is very important and crucial that Kenyans are treated the same and with dignity, regardless of where one is born and where they come from. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to touch on the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF). Every mouth of every expectant Kenyan has to do with development. The CDF is a very important vehicle for development in our areas of representation. The CDF allocation is 2.5 per cent of the revenue collections of the financial year. Our constituencies this year have received the equivalent of what they received the previous year. I do not know whether we are stagnant in the collection of revenue. The 2 per cent of ten cannot be equal to 2 per cent of five. I, therefore, think it is necessary that this issue be looked into. Let the facts be told. Indeed, we anticipated more revenue this financial year, so the CDF kitty should have been stronger or bigger. We need further funding. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to touch on national census. Our census is usually done after a period of ten years. There are quite a number of other parameters that are likely to determine our population without necessarily getting to the census. We have Government officers working in the registration of births and deaths offices. We have registration of births and deaths departments and so many other departments in the Government. However, basing any development today on the 1999 census or basing any allocation or appropriation of any resources. On the 1999 census is really wrong. It is high time that the integrated data was collected for purposes of good planning without reference to ten years ago. Today, we are nine years down the line since the last census. Other data should be used properly for purposes of appropriation and allocation. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, you realise that there are a number of districts that have been created since the 1999 census. Indeed, at that time we had less than 40 districts. Today, they are almost 150 and more are being created. You will realise that next year is a census year yet the definition of the district boundaries has not been done. If resource allocation to these districts has to be done properly in future, based on the census as we have been doing, then the district boundaries should be properly defined and in good time. We should not just rush to do it the last hour when we know we want to undertake a census. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me touch on the CDF managers. It was a very noble idea for this House to have thought of fund managers in the constituencies. Indeed, they are good advisors. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as you realise, this was also an aspect of equitable distribution of national resources. Most of the constituencies have fund managers. But some constituencies did not benefit at all. That is why I am saying that some areas need to be looked at positively and properly like other areas, so that the people in them can feel that they are also Kenyans. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, development is a crucial word. Unfortunately, it could be skewed in one way or the another. When resources are being allocated, let us look at the population of this country. The youth are quite many; they constitute the greatest percentage of the population. When you look at the allocation for that particular group, it is too little. That is why we shall live with the problem of unemployment of the youth; this is because we cannot afford to put them into active roles of building this country. I am beseeching that in future such things should be looked into. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, let us also look at women. When you look at the allocations, most of the funds that could be going to women--- Women are more than men but they October 21, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 2867 are usually given a raw deal. If you are planning, this kind of group should be considered, so that resources are distributed according to group percentages of the population. That is why it is important to realise that even if we need roads, hospitals or anything else, it is also important to apportion that to the necessary group. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}