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{
"id": 197949,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/197949/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Eng. Gumbo",
"speaker_title": "The Member for Rarieda",
"speaker": {
"id": 24,
"legal_name": "Nicholas Gumbo",
"slug": "nicholas-gumbo"
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"content": ". Sometimes, the way things are distributed in this country does not, at all, take cognisant of the fact that, Kenya is a multi-tribal society with over 43 tribes. If we have to undertake business as usual, it must be the sort of business that recognizes the diversity of Kenyans. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I come from a constituency which borders the lake region. I feel that for the over 45 years that Kenya has been independent, the lake region has been badly neglected. The same way I used to see our fishermen toiling 30 years ago, is the same way they still do it to date. There are over 30 fish landing sites and beaches in my constituency and to-date, only four of them 106 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES March 12, 2008 are accessible. Only four of them have electric power. I think time is ripe for us to have something that we can call a \"lake economy\". I find it sometimes ridiculous that when I am in my home at Rarieda, I can, more or less, see Uganda. But to get to Entebbe, I have to come to Nairobi and fly out to Entebbe! I think that with an efficient transport system in the lake, I would not have to do that. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Prof. Anyang'-Nyong'o has spoken about the reforms in the education sector. I think the reforms with regard to providing free primary and secondary schooling is good, especially for those of us who come from very impoverished constituencies. The poverty level in my constituency at the moment is about 75 per cent. But I think this country must do more to improve the reforms in that sector. If you look at the education sector today, we cannot say that all Kenyan children have equal access to education. I was just looking at a particular case. That is the case of national schools in Kenyan. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I speak now, this country has 17 national schools. Those schools are spread in only four provinces, with Nyanza having one, Rift Valley having four, Nairobi having five and central Province having seven. Coast, North Eastern, Eastern and Western provinces have none and yet, we know that in the provinces where these schools are, certain preferences are given to students coming from those provinces. I am not sure, but I think it is about 30 per cent of the intake that come from those provinces. Mr. Speaker, Sir, if we want to provide equal access to education to our children, then we either have to make a decision whether national schools are needed and, if, indeed, they are needed, then we must have them in all the provinces of Kenya."
}