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"id": 184219,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/184219/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Koech",
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"speaker": {
"id": 56,
"legal_name": "David Kibet Koech",
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"content": "Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I have seen that he is ably represented. The Ministry of Local Government is very important in this country. Last year when we were campaigning, most of us were doing so on the platform of devolvement of funds to the grassroots. One best example is through the local government. Therefore, our belief is that through the local government we can see how devolvement of funds can succeed in our country. Through the local government, we expect that every corner of our country is allocated funds, and that all our areas develop at almost the same rate. It is, therefore, important that the Ministry of Local Government delivers to the people as we yearn for the new Constitution under which, we believe that, as Kenyans, we are going to devolve even much more funds to the grassroots. Of great concern is the capacity of staff at the lowest level. It is not enough to devolve funds. It is more important to take note and cognisance of the fact that we need to build the capacity of those who are going to ensure the use of the said money. Our colleagues, who campaigned with us, are the most important people; these are the councillors. Our councillors require serious capacity building in every corner of this country, so that they can ensure that this money is used properly. My colleagues have mentioned this very important point. The people who are expected to implement what we are going to approve are frustrated. They are a frustrated lot because, first, the salaries, or whatever, they get is too low. It is too low in some areas, but it is quite enough in others, especially in the cities. Today we are talking of Kisumu City, Mombasa City and Nairobi City. They are relatively rich, but those in the periphery are suffering; it is important that the Ministry enhances their capacity by remunerating them well, so that they can perform their duties well. Even the little that they get is not forthcoming at the end of every month in some councils. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, it is for this reason that we feel that there is need to ensure that our councillors countrywide are paid from the Consolidated Fund. I want to mention here that we are in the process of bringing a Motion. I hope that our Deputy Prime Minister will be the first to support it, so that our councillors can be receiving their money on time in order for them to perform their duties. I say this because when we, hon. Members, visit our constituencies, we see the number of people who come to our homes. Our councillors are not exempted from this. Every morning our councillors receive so many guests, and all of them have to take a cup of tea. It is necessary that we enhance their capacity and give them enough to enable them perform these duties. The second very important point here is that the distribution of resources to local authorities October 15, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 2783 in this country is very important. How we apportion money to every corner of this country is very important. Looking at the document before us, I want to join my colleagues who said that it does not look like Mr. Mudavadi's document, because I believe that he is consistent in the belief that there is need for us to take these resources to every corner of this country in almost equal proportions. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, in particular, looking at the distribution that we have here, Nairobi is getting over Kshs1.7 billion and Mombasa, which we want to promote as a tourist destination, is getting a paltry Kshs175 million. This country requires to think out of the box, and see the many ways in which we can get money as a country. It is important to promote Mombasa and clean it, so that our guests can enjoy and even sell Kenya better. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, some towns, including my neighbour, Eldoret, are receiving over Kshs100 million. Nandi, which has four districts is getting a paltry Kshs6 million for improvement of the market in Kapsabet. It is painful to note that even for that small Kshs6 million, nothing is coming from the Government of Kenya. That is to tell us that the whole of Nandi is not getting anything from our Government in this financial year. It is my special appeal to the Minister that, please, consider us! We are desperate and need development. We cannot wait for more than a year. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we have created so many new districts, as my colleagues have mentioned. These new districts have many and major challenges. The other day I was asking the Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security a Question. He told me to use the CDF to improve our district headquarters. When shall we catch up with the rest, where the Government bails them out? I appeal to the Ministry that, as a constituency and as a district, we seriously need to improve our markets. We have Mosoriot, which serves all my people. I appeal for some funds from somewhere. I believe the Minister will go and look at the corners of his store, so that we can have some money for the markets in my place. Kabiyet is a whole district headquarters with no planning! It has nothing. I appeal for special funds towards that. Kipkaren is a big division with a whole district officer, but it does not have electricity! So, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, while others are talking about drainage, we are yet to talk about getting piped water in our places. This is a special appeal and the laughter from the Minister, I believe, is an affirmation that we are going to benefit. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Department of Social Services is expected to supply the equipment to be used, especially in games. I want to appeal that some funds be allocated to that department because it is one way of developing our talented students and Kenyans, who are very good in football, athletics and field events. We appeal that they be considered. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we have always been talking about grabbed land in this country. Most of that land, which many people consider as grabbed land, is given out by the councils. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, could the Minister consider looking into the land policy critically? As a country, we should embrace a new policy which ensures that once the land has been given to any individual and the procedures are followed well, then that person is the sole owner of that particular piece of land. In the Education Department, we appreciate the role of the Local Government in taking care of the primary schools in our municipalities. But, recently, we introduced the Free Primary Education Programme where all our Kenyan children are getting money from the Exchequer. Could the Minister consider reallocating part of the money that used to go to primary schools to the development of even street lights in our towns? With those few remarks, I beg to support. 2784 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES October 15, 2008"
}