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"id": 233427,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/233427/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Ochilo-Ayacko",
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"speaker": {
"id": 347,
"legal_name": "Ochilo George Mbogo Ayacko",
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"content": "! Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if this can extend to the whole country, Kuria District and other parts, I am sure that this House and Kenya in its entirety should be able to celebrate. This is what we have always promised our people. We have promised to create income-generating activities and opportunities for wealth creation. That cannot happen unless we attract investors who can invest their capital, which they would, otherwise, have used in their own countries, and who are able to take risks which we cannot take as locals. So, it is important for us to encourage these projects. On the part of the Government, I would encourage it to make sure that such projects are beneficial to the maximum to both the inhabitants of the specific areas and Kenyans in general. In fact, we know of many parts of Kenya where famine is a regular occurrence. We would be happy to hear that those other parts of Kenya struck by famine are able to get rice from Yala Swamp and sugar from TARDA project comes into operation. It is important to encourage this. It is also important to make sure that benefits are maximised. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ministry has said that there is already in place a technical committee that is looking into this to make sure that employment trickles down to the people. Where jobs that can be done by locals are available, the locals should be given the opportunity to do them. Such jobs should attract salaries that do not encourage the spread of poverty. They should encourage wealth creation. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Ministry of Regional Development Authorities to negotiate with the Treasury to get more money. We know that this Ministry is facing challenges in areas like Kerio Valley, where funding is not forthcoming in quantities that can change the lives of people. With regard to the Coast Development Authority, similar challenges face this Ministry. But we would be happy, as a people, if the Treasury could budget a lot of money for this Ministry, so that we, in the regions, do not have to wait for the devolution that we hope to get in the new Constitution. Devolution can be practised by giving this Ministry money to develop regions. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I know of land owned by the LBDA in Migori District, such as Lichota, which was mentioned by Dr. Machage. The Ministry should have the funds to put Lichota under productive activities. There is even more land in Nyatike Constituency that was set aside for breeding of livestock, more preferably goats and sheep. It is about 6,000 acres. This land is lying fallow and nothing is going on. So, it is important for this Ministry to look for funds both within and without the country. It should set easy terms for both local and external investors to engage in productive activities in this area. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if you go to Yala Swamp now, you will find that it is a changed place. Diseases like bilharzia that used to be prevalent there are now on the decline. During my tenure as the Minister for Energy, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company, connected some electricity to that area. I believe that in future more electricity will be connected to the place. Other people can also open up the area as a tourist destination. There are ox-bow lakes there like Lake Kanyaboli and River Yala is a place you can vist as a tourist. I want to support this Motion because it is basically asking for the setting up of a technical committee. I understand that Ministry has already set up that committee. There is no divergence of intention. I think basically the Mover of this Motion is looking at the possibility of extending such projects to other regions and making sure that they are beneficial to the inhabitants of that region and Kenyans. It is, probably, also meant to look at how to extend such projects to other parts of Nyanza Province like Migori District, Kuria District, Homa Bay District and others. With those few remarks, I beg to support. 3854 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES November 22, 2006"
}