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"id": 195897,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/195897/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Keynan",
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"speaker": {
"id": 41,
"legal_name": "Adan Wehliye Keynan",
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"content": "That is the only way we will appreciate our problems! When we get Kenyans, like hon. Oparanya here who is new--- Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, going through this list, I can see the face of every Kenyan! This is the kind of approach we need! Kenyans are complaining about a bloated Government, but that is not the reality. I want to appeal to all other Ministers to emulate the good example of hon. Oparanya. When they appoint members to Boards, they should take into consideration factors like age, regional balance and, of course, education. That way, we will support them on the Floor of the House. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Act has some teething problems. They are known! I want to plead with hon. Members--- I know there are a lot of challenges. Every hon. Member here has a destructor or a challenger at home. It will not be fair if the CDF is used--- If we use it wrongly, we will be challenged. If we use it properly, we will be commended. It is up to us to set a good example. If we do that, I am sure the CDF will be April 24, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 689 celebrated and even the teething problems will be sorted out over the years. Devolution will come naturally, whether the Government likes it or not. We will have devolution even at the villages because of this Act. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are issues that are not well covered. I want to agree with what the honourable--- If you look at the poverty index in this country--- I am not convinced how a constituency like Wajir West, where 87 per cent of the residents rely on relief food, can get a paltry Kshs37 million, and a constituency where 99 per cent of the residents are agricultural crop growers, get Kshs80 million, Kshs70 million or Kshs67 million. I want to be convinced! That rationale lacks every reason. It is not convincing and I want, again, to appeal to hon. Oparanya: When you sit down and warm your seat, call those who have planned this and ask them about the rationale they have used. In my considered opinion, it is not fair! It is meant to reward the regions that are already developed. I want to see those who have denied us our rightful share. I think the planners not yet gone any attitudinal change. It is unfair to have the same people plan for our development policies at this time, when Kenya is experiencing a new dawn. Finally, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, while commending the committee that has been in place over the last five years, I want, again, to request the honourable Minister: When that Board will be in place, let it visit every constituency! It is not enough just to send fund managers to the constituencies. We want the Board itself to visit every constituency, so that when it will be distributing the funds, it will have that particular constituency in mind. That way, we will get a fair share of what is meant for every constituency. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I beg to support."
}