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{
    "id": 246853,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/246853/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 180,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. M.Y. Haji",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 26,
        "legal_name": "Yusuf Mohammed Haji",
        "slug": "yusuf-haji"
    },
    "content": "Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I want to support this Motion wholeheartedly on the grounds that as we all know, during the colonial period, the British Government created 46 districts whereas the population of the entire current Republic of Kenya was between six and eight million people. As we all know, there is a great disparity in the development of this country since those districts which were created at that time with the exception of the arid and semi-arid districts of this country have attained a lot of development because they were small and manageable at that time. The population of Kenya has now risen to 33 million and in view of this fact, there is need for us to create not only these 76 districts but, if possible, even more districts so that development can reach all corners of this country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the purpose of creating districts is not only for closer administration but also for planning purposes, initiating and implementing development. As the previous speaker said, most of these districts were created out of dire necessity. One reason is because they were marginalised by their own kin and kith with whom they shared those districts. Secondly, the Government never at any time carried out any planning for those areas because the interest was most of the time based on where the district headquarters was. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, since the creation of these districts, the Government has achieved three basic needs. One, it has brought development to the people. Two, it has really enhanced the ability of the people to concentrate on doing what they intended to do. For example, in Ijara District, if somebody wanted a licence to trade he had to travel over 200 kilometres to Garissa to obtain only a licence and that cost him not only money but also time. However, right now somebody just walks to the District Commissioner's office and gets his licence without a lot of problems. The other thing as my brother has just said, we are talking about alleviation of poverty. How can we alleviate poverty if we are not creating employment and services that can uplift the living standards of the people? Since the creation of these districts, people who never had the opportunity to be employed are now being employed every year. For example, Adminstration June 14, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1331 Police officers, regular police officers, military officers, game wardens and teachers are being employed. This is in effect an indirect devolution of sharing the resources of this nation. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to emphasise that the creation of these districts is for the benefit of all Kenyans because it is not right for Kenyans to live in abject poverty while others are developing. Central Province put together with Western Province are only 12,000 square kilometres. Ijara District alone is 13,000 square kilometres."
}