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{
    "id": 428447,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/428447/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 223,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Prof.) Nyikal",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 434,
        "legal_name": "James Nyikal",
        "slug": "james-nyikal"
    },
    "content": "The other issue that we noted as a Committee, and that I think we need to take up, is the issue of lack of synchronization of reports when they are brought to this House, particularly this particular Budget Policy Statement. It is not synchronized with what is happening in the counties. We know this policy statement will lead to the Division of Revenue Bill. I think, either through the Senate or whatever route we will take, it is important to synchronize the two processes, so that the process at the county and the process here work in a synchronized way. That way, when we are looking at the Budget process, we will know how to look at the Division of Revenue Bill. I think that is an important point that we should look into. The other issue that I think we need to address, as a nation, is interest rates. I do not understand how people are expected to borrow at 20 per cent, make a profit and still repay those loans. We may have to, as a House, look again at the Donde Bill. I think banks are fleecing us. With regard to the amendments that have been proposed, I really support them. I support the issue of youth polytechnics. Hon. Mwaura mentioned the large number of youths who drop out after primary school. Where do those kids go? They have no skills. Even the Youth Enterprise Development Fund that has been in place and the Uwezo Fund that we are putting in place cannot assist them. The youth are not using the youth funds basically because they do not have any skills to enable them do so. So, I think that setting aside money for polytechnics where we will give those youths skills, do capacity building and show them how they can utilize the resources that the Government has made available to better their welfare is an important thing. I also support the need to support the health sector, especially the Level 5 Hospitals and maternity services. Something is happening in this country and we have to look at it through the devolution process - a process that I support very much. When we looked at this, we found that from the figures we have at the national level, we have only 3 per cent of the national budget going to health. We do not have the information on what proportion of the Budget at the county level will go to health. I have since received some information, and it is just 4 per cent. There is a clear relationship between the health status of a country and the money that is put in it. I think we have done well to increase this. But I think we must move towards the required 15 per cent. The highest this country has ever gone is 8 per cent; we can show clearly that, between 2003 and 2008, when we put 8 per cent of our Budget into the health sector, we actually had a significant reduction in the health problems. The infant mortality rate went down, the under-five year mortality rate went down and the only thing that did not go down was maternal mortality. That needs more funding, particularly at Level 5 Hospitals. That is something that, as a country, we must look forward to. I am very sure that when we go to the Supplementary Budget, we will be looking for more money for health services We are aware that health workers, particularly doctors, are resigning yet we are under-funding the same sector. There is no replacement for those health workers. They are not people you will go to the market and get. Those are people we train and when they leave us, they actually go to other countries. We must just put more money into the health sector. I am also happy that we looked at the economic stimulus projects. In some places, those projects are a shame. Projects were started; some are half-way done and if we do 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."
}