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"speaker_name": "Maj. Sugow",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister, Ministry of State for Public Service",
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"content": " Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I would like to support this Motion that was moved by the Minister. The formation of this Board is long overdue. We were hoping that before we went for the previous recess, that this Motion would have been brought. Had that happened, we would not be talking about money lying in accounts. Right now, nearly all the previous committees have been replaced and they need to be approved or ratified by the Board that is pending. However, better later than never. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like the Minister, just as my colleagues have said, to replace the member whom he has proposed to remove through the amendments that he has just brought forward. We also need training of the Board members quickly because in turn, all the new committees have to be inducted again. So, we are still very far from rolling on. If you are a new Member and you believe that you can remove your committee without being approved by the Board, you are wrong. The Board has to approve these new committees and it is only then that disbursement from the constituency accounts can be allowed. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, therefore, I urge the Minister, to ensure that the training of the Board members takes place as quickly as possible. He should move fast in appointing the remaining member then in turn, we can carry out the training. The NMC's role in the past was to train or workshop the constituency committees. With the NMC out of place, it is the role of the Board to carry out that. Therefore, every committee needs to be trained. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, so, you can now see the urgency of the matter considering that this financial year is coming to an end. The new Committees are supposed to submit new proposals for 2008/2009 Financial Year. Therefore, before they are trained and they understand exactly what they are doing, even to sit and put together those proposals is an uphill task. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, many areas in this country that never used to experience any 684 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES April 24, 2008 development have started realising that there is something called development in Kenya after the CDF was introduced. In my constituency, before the CDF was introduced, the last physical projects had been carried out in the 1970s. In the early Independence days, the criteria for allocation for development funds was based on what was called \"high potential areas\" and the so-called \"low potential areas.\" The arid and semi-arid lands of this country were given a raw deal. They remained so for a long time. The CDF became a saviour for these areas. Today, in reality, I see that the so-called \"high potential areas\" for development that would have contributed to the economy of this country had reached saturation point. Potential now lies in the so-called \"marginalised\" areas or areas that did not have potential in the past. Kenya is a free country where every citizen is allowed to settle and invest anywhere. Development skewed in favour of certain areas is denying many Kenyans, for instance, someone from Central, Western or from any other part, from investing in North Eastern simply because the infrastructure necessary for his or her investment is not there. The increase of the CDF will, in a small measure, contribute immensely to the development of our infrastructure in high potential areas. I consider our areas high potential areas. If today, you set proper infrastructure in rural northern Kenya, you will be encouraging local investment. You will even be encouraging investment from other parts of this country. You will be improving security and communication. Therefore, you will be improving the possibility of improving markets. In as much as I agree with the criteria that was first used to allocate the CDF, I feel it is time we revised the policy and brought in a development level index into the criteria. Those areas that have been marginalised in the past should be given a greater share of this kitty. That is very important. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think it is patriotic for all of us Kenyans, to look at this critically and see it as a national goal. No one stops any Kenyan from settling or investing in any part of the country. Therefore, any money that goes to whatever part of the country remains your money. If money goes into infrastructural development in northern Kenya, no one would stop you from investing there, no matter what part of this country you come from. I think it is important that we look at the bigger picture and ensure that monies that are available for development go into areas that will immensely contribute to the economy of this country. That is why I feel that we have a strong case for the revision and addition of a criteria for allocating more money to those areas. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also agree with hon. Members, that allowances for members of the CDC should be increased. I do not think that Kshs2,500 is enough for somebody operating in Fafi Constituency. It is not even enough to meet the transport cost to come to the headquarters where meetings are supposed to take place. What about accommodation and meals? This is supposed to be some sort of a volunteer job. However, the basic needs should be provided so that those people can feel proud that they are coming to do a job for their constituency. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Mr. Bahari raised an issue regarding a report that did not follow the terms of the Act as far as allocation of funds is concerned. In that particular Report, my Constituency, Fafi, lost Kshs117 million in the last five years' allocation. Your constituency, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, also lost almost the same amount of money. I urge the Minister to look at that Report and probably form an independent, strong and reliable committee to advise him on the allocations that took place in the last five years with regard to the CDF. He should address it well and ensure that those who lost are somehow compensated. I am not saying that those that gained should be forced to pay, but those that lost should be compensated. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am a beneficiary of the creation of the new districts. North Eastern Province got seven districts last year. Hon. Minister, I urge, that you appoint the DDOs as soon as possible because they take a pivotal role in the disbursement of the CDF. Otherwise, I congratulate the Minster and I support the Motion. April 24, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 685"
}