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"id": 41821,
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"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, there is no doubt absolutely that the current level of commodity prices has adversely affected our people especially the low income households. I nevertheless strongly believe that we need to be focused on how to further address these challenges. Requests have been made by various Kenyans to the Treasury, to urgently implement tax reduction measures in the areas of fuel, maize and wheat, in order to cushion our people against the effects of high commodity prices. Further, we expected to respond to many demands, including expanding the safety net coverage, enhancing relief interventions and increasing the level of the Strategic Grain Reserve. As can be seen from the foregoing, part of the requirements weakens our fiscal position, while the other increases demand for additional funding. These are conflicts that we must weigh carefully in order to arrive at a framework that still cushions the most vulnerable in our society, but lays emphasis in finding a lasting solution. Over the Medium-Term, our focus on water harvesting, storage and irrigation in various parts of the country, in addition to many interventions, I have proposed to reduce the cost of doing business. This, therefore, is intended to expand our ability to feed ourselves, generate surplus food for export and present going forward real possibilities of defeating hunger. But we are conscious of the fact that our fight against hunger will not succeed if we do not pool our efforts together. Mr. Speaker, Sir, with regard to water harvesting and storage for sustainable agricultural development, water harvesting and storage for domestic, animal and irrigation is central to food security, livestock production and improved health of our people. For this reason and as a decisive step towards the provision of adequate water for all Kenyans, as mentioned earlier, I have allocated Kshs6.4 million under the Ministry of Agriculture for the provision of water in 170 constituencies. The implementation of this important measure will cost the Exchequer approximately Kshs1.1 billion and will provide water for domestic use and farming thereby enhancing food security and moving our country towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We are also extending access to water in areas most needy. Accordingly, we have allocated a further Kshs1.1 billion which translates to about Kshs30 million per constituency for 20 water pans of 100,000 cubic metres in all the 35 needy constituencies in the ASAL areas. I am confident that with this timely and much needed intervention, we will improve, in a measurable way, the living conditions of our brothers and sisters in these areas and make water accessible for their livestock. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Budget will also take care of livestock farmers by establishing a Kshs400 million Livestock Fund and providing Kshs492million for ongoing and additional slaughter houses in ASAL areas. The hon. Members of Parliament from these regions should note that these allocations are intended to scale-up the projects initiated in the 2010/2011 Budget under the Ministry of Livestock Development. Mr. Speaker, Sir, given the perennial water scarcity in our country, we must start to inculcate in our school children the virtue of water conservation. I have, therefore, allocated Kshs475 million as a conditional grant under the Ministry of Education for 1,900 schools countrywide or Kshs250,000 per school to ten primary schools per constituency covering 190 rural based constituencies. This initiative is expected to expand access to clean drinking water, thereby improving the health of our children."
}