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"speaker_name": "Sen. Musila",
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"legal_name": "David Musila",
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"content": "Thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I also want to support this Motion. We are not re-inventing the wheel. We already have many Funds similar to this one. I want to support the sentiments expressed by Sen. Keter. We still have the Youth Enterprise Development Fund. We have had many funds before where the Government of the day says that we are giving out money to develop the youth and women. However, in a majority of the counties, these initiatives, although well intended, have not succeeded. Either, some people do not avail themselves to collect the money because they believe that since they do not want to be in debt, the best way is to keep away. Others are very quick to come because they believe this is Government money. They take it thinking that nobody will ask about it. I want to confess that in my former constituency, this happened so much. Despite the efforts to advance money to communities, I cannot say, as my brother said, that this has been achieved because of the funds. What am I saying? First of all, we must educate the communities. I have not seen any funds that have been appropriated or suggested for educating the community. If this Uwezo Fund goes somewhere I know, you will never hear of payment and that will be the end of it. Those who will benefit initially will be the first and last. So, we probably ought to have a fraction of this money to be used, first and foremost, to sensitize and educate the people of the need to pay loans, accept and put the money into proper use. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding the forms that they fill, they will just collect one another and come as a group. If they are 20, for example, if you give them Kshs200,000 they will go out and share it outside and everyone goes their way. The Government has lost a lot of money in a similar manner before. The Government has intended to advance money to people in the past, and it has not really helped. I really liked the concept by Sen. Keter and would welcome him one of these days to spread it to my area. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Kshs6 billion or Kshs5.3 billion will be given and a lot of people will take it, but repayment will be a problem. But the most serious thing is that it will be taken and we will not see the development that, that particular person has initiated using that money. Therefore, first and foremost, I want an amendment. I hope that the Chair of the Committee or somebody is listening. We must set aside some funds for training. We need to sensitize the people and train them that this money is for their benefit and, therefore, they must take it only when they have a project that is going to advance them or the community, and it is payable. That is very important, otherwise, we will be just dishing out money. I remember when President Kibaki took power, there was a fund that went wrong. In my area, they were saying: “ Hii ni ya Kibaki. Hailipwi!” Then we introduced the Youth Enterprise Development Fund and later on a fund for women. They talk about tree planting and we do not see the trees. They also talk about water conservation and we do not see it. They say that they are buying and selling goats, but you do not see them. When you follow them, they say: “ Mbuzi walikufa .” I really feel sorry for the community, but I want them to benefit. But before we give out this money, let us, first of all, ensure that we The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate are giving it to the right people who have been educated on its use, so that it serves the purpose for which it is intended. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, finally, in the administration of the fund, I have seen every elected person being given a role in the management of this Fund; from the Member of the County Assembly, Women Representative to the Member of the National Assembly. But I have not seen anywhere where the Senator has a role. Ladies and gentlemen, we are making ourselves irrelevant, because soon or later, people will come to you and say: “I want help to access this Fund.” You will tell that person: “I am going to ask the Member of the County Assembly, Women Representative or Member of the National Assembly.”They will wonder what your role is in this. So, I want to plead that some sort of space be created, as a role for the Senator to play in his county, even if it is a committee to see how the money is spent. So, I am pleading with the Chair to ask his Committee to find out what role a Senator can play, so that he is not just a bystander and watching as things happen. I think that this is crucial, lest we become irrelevant. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is not by accident that we are missing in this management. It is by design. Now that we have an opportunity, we must amend these regulations, to create a role for the Senators, so that we all play the role together. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to support."
}