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"speaker_name": "Maj. Sugow",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Water and Irrigation",
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"content": " Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the President's Speech. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, many of our colleagues on the other side have criticised the Speech given by the President as a campaign gimmick. It is understandable because generally, it has clearly stated the facts with regards to the achievements of his Government over the last four years; achievements which they are not very happy about. The Speech also provided the direction this country is to take economically within the remaining period of his term, now and in the future. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this economy is growing. Many of us are complaining that it is not translating directly into the pockets of the ordinary Kenyan. But there are many things which this Government is doing which an economy that is not growing would not be able to 310 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES April 3, 2007 achieve. Today, many Kenyans are not doing fund-raising for the sake of development of schools and other institutions. Today, Kenyans are not paying school fees for primary education. Today, many Kenyans are benefiting from various devolved funds that are going to the grassroots. All these, somehow, indirectly, are translating to the enrichment of this country and the citizenry. Therefore, the question of saying this economy is not growing and that it is a political gimmick, does not arise. The macro-economic indicators in this country and the management of the economy has attracted donor support substantially. In the last few weeks, many donors have given this country a shot in the arm by providing substantial donor support to this economy. That is an indicator of confidence in the management of economic affairs of this country. The people's lives have tremendously improved. The agricultural sector has also improved. Livestock, though not to the levels of our expectations, is also growing. Corruption exists, but is slowly coming down. The last big scam being the Anglo Leasing scandal. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding education, the free primary education in this country has achieved a lot and many children are now going to school, especially in marginalised areas. Improved infrastructure in marginalised areas through the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) has tremendously contributed to improved quality education in many areas, especially North Eastern Province where there was no comparison between that area and the rest of the country in terms of performance. In the exams that were done both in primary and secondary schools last year, North Eastern Province came to the national league to compete with the rest of the country in terms of performance. That was brought about because of the improved infrastructure in the area. However, the free primary education and secondary education to some degree, is being hampered by lack of staff. Many people are today proposing that we should probably extend the free education to secondary level. I believe in the improvement of what we have first, before we can move forward. While we consider the extension of free education to secondary level, it would be prudent in the short-term to recruit more teachers for the free primary education to improve quality. I do not think that without properly concretising the provision of free primary education, it is wise to move forward to secondary education. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to the Constitution review, while it is important to lay the necessary constitutional framework for the review of the Constitution, minimum reforms have been suggested by many of us. They should just be that; minimum. We should try to avoid the temptation to rob Kenyans of their right to write their own Constitution. This House has an obligation to Kenyans to ensure that, that process remains with Kenyans. It should not be hijacked by hon. Members of Parliament and the civil society. The involvement of the civil society at this stage is important but it is also important to first dialogue as Members of Parliament before we invite the civil society. Therefore, we should put in place the necessary framework for future comprehensive reforms and keep the minimum reforms to a minimum as stated. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I commend the President for initiating the Women Enterprise Development Fund. I think it will even be more effective in improving the economy of this country than the Youth Enterprise Development Fund. Everyone knows that money that is in the purse of the mother will more likely end up on the table of the family than the one in the pocket of the father. Therefore, that money is going to support many small businesses that are run by our mothers in the rural areas. I highly commend that and the earlier we start it, the better. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, while I support the efforts being made by Kenya through our President in mobilizing international and regional support for the resolution in the Somalia conflict, I think the military intervention by Ethiopia was probably the worst action that April 3, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 311 was taken in finding a lasting solution to the Somalia conflict. I believe that a solution to the problem in Somalia lies in the hands of the people of Somalia. Today, Somalia is worse than it was before Ethiopia's military intervention. The intervention was a threat not just to Somalia but to the whole region. The earlier we find an exit solution for Ethiopia, the better. Kenya cannot ignore what is happening in Somalia. We are an interested party and it affects us more than Ethiopia. Therefore, we should continue playing that lead and moderate role. We were making serious and positive steps in finding a solution. The question of the military intervention and the support we gave was a mistake. I believe the earlier Ethiopia gets out of Somalia, the better for Somalia and the region. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the livestock sector is key to the livelihood of the people in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). We have not given sufficient attention to that sector. Although we have revived the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC), the subsequent droughts and other disasters, like the outbreak of the Rift Valley Fever in some parts of North Eastern Province have seriously affected livestock levels. I think it is important for us to consider providing some funds for re-stocking so that we can raise enough livestock levels to be able to supply the KMC depot that is being opened in that region. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, finally, I would like to comment on the East African Political Federation. The road to political federation is filled up with a lot of mines. We have to be very careful when taking Kenyans along that road. Economic and socio-cultural co-operation is very much possible in this region but we have a lot of differences as countries and we need to be careful before we take Kenyans down that road. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}