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{
    "id": 357429,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/357429/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 42,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mati",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2469,
        "legal_name": "G.J. Munuve Mati",
        "slug": "gj-munuve-mati"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Speaker, Sir. Let me join my colleagues in supporting the Bill. My name is John Munuve Mati, Member of Parliament for Mwingi North. I would like to make a few observations. In the morning, I heard a few sentiments from hon. Members. Some counties are not able to generate resources. I would urge my colleagues to desist from that kind of attitude because why we voted for the Constitution was basically to make sure that the resources are decentralized from Nairobi to the rural areas. It is not just resources but also power. I come from a constituency that does not have even one inch of tarmacked road. It is a constituency that has at most 0.5 per cent access to clean water and sanitary facilities. Speaking on the Floor of this House 50 years after Independence, I feel constrained. I would like to argue that my constituency, which falls within Kitui County, should have been accorded some additional resources through the Equalization Fund. This House has heard about the problems and the fame of Kitui County. It is the only place within the Republic of Kenya where people have eaten dogs because of famine. Kitui County is lucky because it borders the two biggest rivers in the Republic, Athi and Tana rivers. Hon. Speaker, Sir, if Kitui County was irrigated, this Republic would not run short of any food for a long time. I had an opportunity to go to Wikithuki Irrigation Scheme; a scheme that was started and has only 100 acres. It has a capacity to take care of 5,000 acres because it runs along Tana River, which does not dry up at all. I can see we have Kshs5 billion for emergencies. I would like to argue that some of that money should be given to my constituents. It will do a very good job and avert an emergency in Tana River. People in Tana River are forced to use boats. Their property is being destroyed simply because Tana River has more water that can actually be stored. If some of that money was used to construct a dam in Tana River, it can irrigate my constituency. First, it will avert the disaster in Tana River and, secondly, farming activities will take place and the area will be food sufficient. As I support this Bill, the other problem that I would like to point out in my constituency is armed conflicts. There is money that has been given to the security forces. This time round, our security forces should help us to do away with armed conflicts. Basically, there are thugs who come to steal livestock from my people. We have talked about small arms in this Republic for a long time. We do not know why the police and the armed forces have failed to mop up small arms in this Republic. There is proliferation of small arms in this country. My people continue to suffer in the hands of armed people. They are really tempted to look for black markets where those small arms are obtained, so that they can protect themselves and their property. Hon. Speaker, Sir, I would like to talk about the investments that are going to the counties. I think there is a mechanism by this House to monitor what the governors are doing in the counties. We should not glorify the governors as saints who have come to save people. Those governors are human beings and, as it is, there are conflicts that are brewing between the governors and central Government as represented in the county"
}