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"id": 239398,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/239398/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Ojaamong",
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"speaker": {
"id": 196,
"legal_name": "Sospeter Odeke Ojaamongson",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this Motion. First of all, I want to thank the Government for having initiated some projects which have actually changed the lives of my people in Teso Constituency. However, I hope the Government will not stop there. I hope that the Government will continue with its efforts to develop my constituency. I, therefore, would like to appeal to the Minister for Roads and Public Works, who never allocated my district any money in his budget, to try and look for any kitty in his Ministry from which he can allocate some money for the construction of roads in my constituency. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as you know, I come from a security-threatened area and we guard this country from any invasions from neighbouring territory. It is, therefore, necessary that the roads in my area, especially Road C32 and C43 be allocated funds. For three years running now, these roads have not been allocated any money. I would like to talk about identity cards. Since my district borders Uganda, we have a very big problem with regard to identity cards. Almost one-third of people in Teso District lack identity cards, because of the vetting process, which takes too long because it starts at the sub-location level and ends at the national level. It is my appeal to the Government to assist my people in getting identity cards, even though I am going to make my own efforts to obtain forms and get lawyers who will prepare affidavits for people who will need them. I appeal to the Government to issue its own people in Teso District with identity cards. When I talk of identity cards for my people, I also have in mind the bordering Busia District, which is affected by the same problem. Without an identity card, our people cannot get employment and they cannot access training or even get loans to join universities. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to mention the extent to which this Government has marginalised minority communities. I am talking about the Kuria, the Pokot, the Teso and other minority tribes. I have never seen a Government that discriminates against minorities like this one. Look at how appointments are done - I will keep on repeating this point. You will not see a Kuria, Teso, Pokot, Marakwet being appointed to any post. Can you people not read from the former President's script? He used to distribute his cake almost equitably. What is wrong with you people? Now you are trying to reverse the political gains that you had made; you are trying to take us back to the one party system. Suppose we from the minority tribes come to power one day, what do you think will happen to you? What will happen to you if someone like me gets into power? It will be disaster for you people. However, what we are asking you now is to come back to your senses, regard people from minority communities as citizens of Kenya and give them their due share. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in connection with that, it is only during the constitutional review process that we managed to argue our case as minorities. We had chapters which actually tried to protect the minorities from dictatorship and discrimination. I am appealing to this Government not to neglect minority communities. This is the same Constitution that the former President used to rule us. We might come up with a tougher dictator than what we have had. If you do not make constitutional changes, even minimal changes, then history will judge you very harshly. I want minorities to be taken care of by this Government. They need to be given employment, resources to develop themselves and opportunities for training in our institutions. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I beg to support."
}