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{
    "id": 245434,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/245434/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 106,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "[The Minister of State for Public Service]",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 130,
        "legal_name": "Dalmas Anyango Otieno",
        "slug": "dalmas-otieno"
    },
    "content": "transport policy in the Civil Service. I heard the Minister say that most of the Government vehicles will be taken away from the civil servants. I know that those civil servants who are in the middle and lower cadres cannot afford to purchase new vehicles. If the prices for motorcycles are lowered, they might buy them to enable them to be mobile. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, something which has also pleased the civil servants is that the Minister factored their salary increases in the Budget. It was only yesterday that I announced the new salary increases for the civil servants. I talked to the Minister and told him that it was very important for us to increase the salaries for the civil servants if we really wanted to improve on the public service in this country. I was happy because the Minister took it seriously and inserted the increment in his Budget. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, recently pensioners' payments have also been increased with effect from 1st July and this increase has also been factored in this Budget. We have a total of 162,000 pensioners in this country and they were very happy when His Excellency the President announced an increase of their pension from Kshs500 to Kshs2,000 per month. Therefore, I see that this year's Budget has taken into consideration the problems of the poor. Those pensioners who used to do a good job for this country but were neglected by the Government are now happy with this increment. I agree that this Kshs2,000 is not enough but it is a way forward. At least, it is something. We are moving towards better things for our people. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also looked at the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Although there was a minimal increase in the CDF kitty, I think we have to appreciate whatever the Minister has given us. Even if the CDF kitty was tripled and we cannot make proper use of it, its effects will not be felt. So, I appreciate the increment the Minister has given us. I want to assure Kenyans that we will make good use of this money so that the electorate will see hon. Members of Parliament who they elected doing something good on the ground. The CDF is the only money in this country which reaches wananchi . They are also funds which are well spread throughout the country and, therefore, the idea is very good. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I know there are some people who are complaining outside there that the CDF money should not have been there in the first place, but let me tell them that they are talking politics and we cannot prevent them from doing so. However, the hon. Members who are serious with the CDF will continue making use of it by initiating projects in their various constituencies so that wananchi will be able to assess their performances. In fact, you are aware that the civil servants are now on performance contracts which are different from employment contracts. The concept of performance contracts is good. I wish that even all hon. Members of Parliament here were placed on performance contracts so that when the CDF is given to them they are able to explain to their constituents how they have performed within that particular year. That will be a good thing if implemented and I think hon. Members will support me on that. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, when I look at the sugar industry, the Minister has proposed to amend the Sugar Levy order by shifting the base from consumers to the sugar-cane growers. This does not augur well with the sugar-cane farmers and especially myself who comes from Western Province where we have many sugar-cane farmers. We rely on this crop. I am sure the effect of this move will make the imported sugar cheaper than our local sugar and, therefore, affect the sugar industry. However, I believe that the Minister will look into this move and rectify the position so that the sugar-cane farmers can also be happy. June 28, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1647 With those few remarks, I support."
}