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"speaker_name": "Mr. Karaba",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute in support of the just concluded Budget Speech. It is important to note that the Budget really covers many areas which, if well scrutinised, embrace the economy of our country. It is a Budget that touched the nerve of majority of Kenyans, particulary the poor. The Minister increased the prices of leisure products such as spirits, wines and cigarettes. What transpired later on was that even after imposing a 120 per cent tax on light polythene papers, the following morning, we were made to note that the prices of sugar and other related products had gone up. I hope that the Minister will be the first person to tell the people who produce these commodities not to increase their prices because people were very happy the first day after the Budget Speech, but the following day, they were very annoyed because they thought they were being taken for a ride. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we also note that the money set aside for roads was increased. This is very important. Taking into cognisance the state of roads that we have in our country, the Ministry of Roads and Public Works seems to have done a very good job. I would encourage that those roads that were started in the early years, particulary in the 1980s be completed before embarking on new ones. I have a case in mind of a road in my area which I often talk of in this House. I hope that this time round, the Minister will visit the area and see that we need that road tarmacked. We have noted that most of the roads which were included in the Budget seem to connect important political areas or people. When I visited South Africa, I noticed that a Minister or even a Member of Parliament has nothing to do with the planning of what happens in that country. Planning is done by professionals. I hope one day in Kenya, hon. Members, will sit down to see development taking place in their areas, without necessarily lobbying for it. We do not want to see some constituencies remaining behind in terms of development as others continue developing with unchecked speed. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are very happy with the Ministry of Energy because they have continued to supply energy to all people irrespective of the big names. I commend the Ministry for doing this. Particularly so, for connecting most of the schools in the country with electricity. We know that without it, some of the compulsory subjects such as physics, chemistry and biology cannot be taught. Since they are compulsory for joining universities, we need to encourage schools in rural areas to continue teaching them. However, they cannot be taught 1954 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES June 20, 2007 without electricity. Therefore, the supply of electricity to many schools in rural areas, is a very important necessity and it was captured well by the Minister for Finance. This is why I support him. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also note that with electricity available, it is possible even to teach computer sciences in our schools. It will be encouraged and taught in rural schools. This was ably captured in the Budget. We hope that this will continue to improve the quality and accessibility to education in schools in rural areas. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Education was allocated around Kshs109 billion. This is a clear indication that, for the first time, education has been seen as a Ministry which covers a very big area. It should not be compared to other Ministries because, to us, without education, we cannot talk about development. Quality education is what can be translated to development. We need education and that is why even the South-East Asia countries had to abandon all other developments and embark on the development of education. To me, that was a very big risk. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the same token, I note that the bursary fund has remained at Kshs800 million. We hoped that bursary would be increased. But thanks to the scrapping of tuition fees in secondary schools. This will encourage very many students to continue with secondary school education. But are we planning for the increased number of classes next years? We might be in for a big shock! Next year, we could be having very many secondary school students. Therefore, we need to plan ahead and see to it that we construct more classrooms in our schools and areas. We also need to make sure that besides the classrooms, we should recruit additional teachers. The fact that this Government will employ 11,000 teachers is laudable. But ideally the number is only 4,000 teachers because the Government has always employed 7,000 teachers every year. I believe a figure of 4,000 teachers is on the lower side. We would have possibly increased it to 10,000 teachers, if not the 40,000 teachers, we always talk about. That number should have been increased to maybe, more than 20,000 teachers. I thank the Ministry for seeing to it that, at least, additional 4,000 teachers will be employed. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, on health, I am asking the Minister concerned to have more personnel recruited. The dispensaries that are being constructed in our areas through the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) can then have extra nurses, doctors and technicians. Otherwise, we cannot realise development without adequate personnel. I thank the Minister for saying that coffee farmers will be paid Kshs641 million that is owed to them since 2002. This should have been done earlier. However, it is important that it came this time. However, we need to come up with a programme. Let us not just talk of Kshs641 million to be paid to farmers without having a proper programme. We want to know when the first payment will be made. If there was any interest accrued, it should also be paid to the farmers. Farmers have suffered and need to be paid for their patience. The patience should be translated into interest. If we did so, every farmer in this country will be happy. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the issue of squatters, we are know that there are many squatters in this country, including those in Kirinyaga-Kutus Constituency. I hope they will be settled. We need to be asked to give a list of those who are landless. We need also to be told when, how and where, they will be settled. We have come up with a theoretical formula of settling them. We are being told that there are settlement schemes and so much money will be spent on buying land to settle them. We need to be told how they will be identified and where they will be settled. Otherwise, if this does not happen, it might be seen to be a theoretical scheme to frustrate the landless who have been landless since independence. Since the Government has now come up with a formula, let us see to it that it is carried out. June 20, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1955 Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we also talk a lot about money unspent being returned to Treasury. This should not happen. We hope the money that was allocated to the Youth Development Fund last year and has not been spent will not be returned to Treasury. We are here and can be asked to commit the money before the 2007/2008 funds are released. The money which was there in 2006/2007 financial year should be committed by hon. Members of Parliament. It should remain in the constituencies, so that it can be used as the CDF. We will give it to the youth when necessary. Otherwise, that is a very commendable move. We hope the Minister and his personnel will see to it that this money is not returned to Treasury even if not used. The time was short and the youth were not aware of how to go about it. We also were not aware of how to commit it. Returning that money to Treasury will be suicidal to our youth. Lastly, on security, I would like to thank the Minister for the money that is allocated for the recruitment of police officers. Let there be enough police officers and police posts. Let us provide security to hon. Members in the House and outside. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}