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{
    "id": 422940,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/422940/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 96,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mohamed Abdi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1188,
        "legal_name": "Mohamed Abdi Haji Mohamed",
        "slug": "mohamed-abdi-haji-mohamed"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to support this noble Bill. On the outset, I want to thank the Mover for coming up with the Motion. The provision for the Equalisation Fund in our Constitution is a noble idea. The framers of our Constitution have done very well. What I want to say is that it is a bit too little too late, but that will be a Motion for another day. However, this is an effort in the right direction. Hon. Deputy Speaker, the level of development disparities in some parts of this country, which have been occasioned by marginalisation, are very high. As some parts of this country talk about 95 per cent literacy levels, others talk about 30 per cent and yet, we are all in one nation. That means that the achievement of one region that has done very well in terms of development is being diluted by an area that has recorded little development. Therefore, as a nation, it is important that we develop at the same pace. This country wants to join the league of developed nations. So, it is important that the development in all regions is brought to the same level. This country wants to integrate with our neighbours. Any country integrating with another country like Kenya would want to reap some dividends from the merger. We have a country with some areas that are highly developed, with 90 per cent of the people accessing electricity, water and education; and other areas with 20 per cent development rate. Before another country integrates with this country, it looks at all the parameters and all the regions. That is probably why the rate of integration within the East African Community is slow. So, it is important for this country to look at all this with a view to ensuring that we attain the same level of development for all parts of this country. Hon. Deputy Speaker, in order for us to reduce conflicts, so that Kenya can be a peaceful country, it is necessary for all parts of this country to develop at the same level. That is the wisdom behind the creation of the Equalisation Fund. Secondly, why do we want to put the Equalisation Fund under the constituency? It is because the constituencies have been tested. For the last ten years, we have had the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF), which has been doing a marvellous job. The audit reports that have been coming out over the years have rated the CDF at 85 to 90 per cent successful. That is very great. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}