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"speaker_name": "Hon. M’uthari",
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"content": "They want to say that they are the defenders of devolution and we know very well that we gave ourselves this idea of devolution and nobody should be against it. Somebody cannot dispute the fact that the Constitution provides that, at least, 15 per cent of our revenue should go to the counties. In the first year, the Government gave 32 per cent; this no one can dispute because there are facts. Even the money given at the county level is not being absorbed. That is a fact and that money should be spent so that the country can move on. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, there is also the question of security, which is a serious matter. As I speak here, I am sad because yesterday I lost two of my constituents through cattle rustling. The day before yesterday we had another incident. There is something terribly wrong with this country as far as security is concerned. We need proper co-ordination of security agencies; the way they are now, they are not working. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, even as we embrace the idea of devolution, police officers or the security agents in Mutuati have to go to Meru Town, which is about 60 kilometres away; get 16 litres of diesel per day and then spend 30 litres of diesel on the way. Of what help is it? We need to address the issue of security in a more serious way and then co-ordinate how things are to be done. Things will not be done for the sake of it. Even if we have the vehicles, are the officers and all those who are involved in provision of security facilitated? What about the people who are involved in the security because we have different agencies in security? Sometimes we may blame people who are involved in gathering intelligence, but how about if they gather intelligence information and then they give it to those who are supposed to act, and then they do not act? We need those who are supposed to take steps to take responsibility. The other issue that the President talked about in his Address, and which he is working on right now, is concentrating in the area of agricultural improvement. There should be improvement through provision of inputs like fertilizers; also there is the plan to have irrigated agriculture instead of relying on rain-fed agriculture. Some hon. Members have said here that 10,000 acres is not enough. But even a journey of 1000 miles starts with the first step. When you start a programme, there is the process of also planning and laying down strategies and then implementation. We have to appreciate when things are moving and when we are working. We need to expand agriculture, not in some specific areas, but in all areas. All in all, as a country, we need to think outside the box. We should come up with strategies to expand the economy in order to expand our income base, so that by the end of the day, we do not talk about salary cuts. What is it that we have done as a nation and what do we need to do? What are some of the sectors 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."
}