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{
    "id": 440195,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/440195/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 271,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Katoo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 199,
        "legal_name": "Judah Katoo Ole-Metito",
        "slug": "judah-ole-metito"
    },
    "content": "Let me again, thank the Committee for allocating more resources to areas that are going to increase employment, security related programmes and tourism in this country. Those three are paramount; employment creation, security related programmes and tourism. At this junction, I want to thank His Excellency the President for the very able measures and steps he has taken to provide tax waivers and tax benefits to areas that have been hit by travel advisories in the tourism sector. We can see it bearing fruits and that must be supported at all times. On regional integration, it is good that we sharpen our skills. I would call for more resources to be allocated to the education sector so that we compete among our regional partners through skills and technology. Such areas need to be given more funds. We also need to encourage our country to take advantage of technical institutions so that we can actually venture into areas of engineering and other technical subjects. This will be very instrumental as we move to regional development or integration. Hon. Speaker, I do not want to repeat, but I just want to very quickly mention some of the aspects that I have seen very encouraging in the Budget Policy Statement. I am happy with the steps that the Budget and Appropriations Committee has taken in reallocation of the expenditure. For instance, I have seen reallocation of Kshs1 billion to the Narok-Mai Mahiu Road. I was there recently and that road is in a pathetic condition. That is the road that leads to one of the wonders of the World; the wildebeest migration at Maasai Mara Game Reserve. The migration boosts tourism in the country. That season is here and some tourists have defied the travel advisories and visited the country. If the infrastructure for that facility is not in good condition, we are likely to lose huge revenue as a country. Therefore, I appreciate that the Committee gave Kshs1 billion for the tarmacking of that road. It may not be enough because that road is about 90 kilometers long, but it is better than nothing. It can be done in phases. I also appreciate that the Committee has allocated Kshs2.2 billion for the construction of Ronald Ngala Utalii College in the Coast. We all know that 60 per cent or even more of our tourism sector is from the Coast. It will be good to have tourism and hospitality facility situated in the Coast so that it can impart skills to the people in that area. Finally, I appreciate the allocation of Kshs750 million to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). This money is meant for recruitment of new rangers. This will help curb the poaching menace in this country. If we do not have wildlife and heritage in our national parks, there will be no tourism. My only plea to the KWS for that matter is to take advantage and cognizance of the communities that have conserved wildlife and give them the first priority when it comes to recruitment of game rangers because they are the ones who know best on how to conserve those animals. In any case, they are the ones who are suffering because of those wild animals. You have seen in the last two days what has happened in Samburu because of elephants and wildlife."
}