Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 455916,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/455916/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 284,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Otucho",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12837,
        "legal_name": "Mary Emaase Otuch",
        "slug": "mary-emaase-otuch"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I really appreciate this opportunity because I have been waiting for it since we resumed this Second Session of the Eleventh Parliament. First and foremost, I must appreciate my friend hon. Lelelit for bringing this amendment. It is really important. We all agree that disbursing the money directly to the constituencies is the only sure way we shall be guaranteed of efficient and effective application of this Equalization Fund. We all know that the Equalization Fund seeks to address or mitigate the challenges of inequities in the distribution of development across our country. It seeks to take services to the most undeveloped areas. I must also admit that most of the speakers who have contributed to this Bill have touched on areas like North Easter Province. Indeed, there are areas that are most undeveloped in this country. I also want to point out that there are areas in this country that are marginalized. There are pockets in the 47 counties that are actually marginalized. Hon. Mbadi mentioned about his constituency not having a single road. I also come from a constituency called Teso South where there is no single tarmac. It is landlocked. Goods going to western Kenya end up in Kakamega, Bungoma or the other side of Busia County. We have the CRA which is mandated under Article 216(4) to determine, publish and regularly review the policy on which identification of marginalized areas is to be done. When the policy will be brought before this House, we need to ensure that all these areas that were not taken into consideration have to be taken into consideration and areas that are marginalized within the counties have to be recognized and also benefit. That is the only way that development in all those areas can be brought at par with the other areas. That way all the women, children and men of this nation will enjoy the benefits of services enjoyed by others in other countries. Devolution is good – we support it. However, I would like to join the Member who mentioned here that we need structures and systems. What we need to do as a House is to empower all the other institutions that support and help us in playing oversight role. Devolution is good and by taking this money directly to the constituencies, we are actually devolving the money directly to the people who are at the very low level of administration in this Government. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, thank you for the opportunity and I support the Bill."
}