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{
    "id": 191051,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/191051/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 224,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Njuguna",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 20,
        "legal_name": "Peter Njuguna Gitau",
        "slug": "peter-gitau"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to thank you for granting me this opportunity to air two points or so, on this very important Motion, which has been ably moved by hon. Mbau. There are two reflections that I need to dwell on. One issue concerns the ownership of this intended Fiscal Management Bill. This Bill will give an avenue for this House to own the Budget. When we own the Budget, it will be possible for us to market the issues that will be contained in the Budget. We are the representatives of our people. In our fora, we will give them hope and 1562 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES July 2, 2008 direction regarding the national Budget. With regard to the taxation mechanism, this is another issue that creates a lot of tension, if it is not addressed properly. We have noted one single element that has been introduced in the current Budget. If this is not really considered and accommodated properly, it may create some kind of instability. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, every year, Kshs500 million is allocated to the Youth Enterprise Development Fund. It has also been increased during this Budget. This money is meant to be disbursed to the youths in our constituencies, but they cannot access it because of the stringent conditions. Therefore, this money is allocated in every financial year and it does not reach the beneficiaries. Therefore, instead of reducing poverty, poverty continues to be there. If the hon. Members are involved in the disbursement of these funds, proper modalities and regulations would be considered and implemented. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Kshs1 million Sports Fund that has already been considered for every constituency is inadequate. There are other issues that would have been considered along with it. There is no need of giving Kshs1 million without having a trainer to utilise the funds in the constituencies. So, an additional amount of money would have been considered to employ a person who would utilise that money in the best interest of the youth in each constituency. The issue of the activities to be carried out would have been considered in a wider range, for example, athletics and netball. It would be paramount for this House to be engaged actively in the Budget-making process. Again the House will also get a chance to interrogate the Budget in the best way possible. Regarding the distribution of natural resources, outcries have already started filtering in. The newly created Ministry of the Development of Northern Kenya and Other Arid Lands is crying about the little funds that have been allocated to it. The Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development is also crying. If these two issues were debated in this House, adequate funds would have been allocated to those Ministries to meet the needs of Kenyans. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if the Budget is not considered well, it may cause instability and disharmony in the nation because representatives of the people are not fully involved in it. So, in my view, as I conclude, it is high time that this Bill is given room to come to the Floor of the House. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}