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"id": 193012,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Mwaita",
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"legal_name": "Sammy Sila Komen Mwaita",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this Motion on the Budget Speech. First, I wish to note, with appreciation, the theme of the Budget, which was well expounded by the Minister. The theme is: \"Working together to build a cohesive, equitable and prosperous nation\". It cannot be any better. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also noted that the Minister zeroed in on a number of areas, which are very key in the development of our country. One area was restoring economic growth and expanding opportunities for all Kenyans, and not just for a few individuals in this country. The Budget also focused on reduction of poverty, which is a major problem in this country. It is no wonder that we had problems at the beginning of the year, particulary after the general election. Poverty among our youth was noted as a major contributor to the post-election crisis. Therefore, when the Budget touched on this area, I was very happy. I congratulate the Minister for focusing on the reduction of poverty, deepening reforms in the financial sector and the general contribution to national development. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to comment on a number of areas which the Minister, in his Speech, touched on. First was the operationalisation of the Micro Finance Act, which a number of hon. Members in this House had raised issues about. This Act was passed by this House and it has never been operationalised. A number of points and questions were raised by hon. Members of this House. Time and again the Minister has said that the regulations to govern the micro-finance institutions in this country have not been published. I wish to commend him for saying in his Budget Speech that these regulations have now been finalised, and that the Act will be operationalised in the next financial year. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in this regard, I wish to note that in my constituency there is a financial services association, loosely registered under the Social Services Department. This association has over 8,000 members. It is called \"Kabarnet FSA Self Help Group\". It has loaned well over Kshs47 million over the last four years it has been in operation. I hope that when the Act is operationalised, institutions like Kabarnet FSA Self Help Group will be considered for registration, because of the role they are playing. It has given out over Kshs47 million in loans to its members to do various businesses, particularly within the constituency; it has actually reduced poverty in a big way. This is especially so for loans given to the Jua Kali sector. I urge the Minister to fast-track the implementation of this Act immediately the new financial year takes off. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I know time is running out. I hope I will get more time in the next Sitting, but I wish to comment on the issue of construction of roads. The Minister, in Paragraph 28 of his Speech, indicated that he has set aside Kshs65 billion for construction of new roads and maintenance of existing ones. This amount, given the total amount of the Budget this year, is not enough. There is a certain road in my constituency which serves the Western Tourist Circuit. This road needs to be developed. This road links Mt. Kenya to western Kenya. It starts at Karandi and runs through Mochongoi and all the way to Marigat. If this road is developed to bitumen standard, tourism in that area will be accelerated. That will create jobs and opportunities for our people."
}