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{
    "id": 492280,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/492280/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 216,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. H.K. Njuguna",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1508,
        "legal_name": "Humphrey Kimani Njuguna",
        "slug": "humphrey-kimani-njuguna"
    },
    "content": "“Where are we? Are we not part of this country? Are we not taxpayers? Have you forgotten that we form the back-bone even in the family unit? Have you forgotten where we are coming in terms of traditions?” Such and other criticisms out there have informed this Motion. I have also looked at the Bill of Rights in our Constitution which talks about fairness, no discrimination in terms of colour or gender. Basically, the focus is fairness. Everybody should be treated fairly, socially and economically. I know there are exemptions, but in terms of these funds, men above the age of 35 are feeling discriminated in matters of national building and entrepreneurship. There has been justification in the past for these funds, just like there has been justification in the past for the push for the girl-child and those other initiatives, but men who are above 35 years old are becoming increasingly uneasy. There are complaints. The question is: Are the complaints justified? In this Motion, I am saying that the complaints are justified. Recently, in one of the budget public participation forums in Murang’a County and in which I participated, hon. Mutava Musyimi – I wish he was here - was confronted with the question of Uwezo Fund. He was asked whether it was necessary to cater for men above 35 years old. Our Chairman told them to form organizations, but ensure that the majority are the youth and that they could include a few old men there. I wish he was here because we were confronted with that question and it was very hard for us. So, many people have been saying that those of us who are above 35 years old are not only taxpayers, but we also pay the highest amount of tax. Tax without representation, therefore, is not good tax at all. So, we need to be part and parcel of these funds. Others have been saying that they also require recognition because they are Kenyan citizens. They also say that the age of 35 years and above is the age of responsibility and this is seen even in the family unit. They say that it is a critical stage in the formation and development of a family as a unit. I am also interested in the issue of the SME sector. I am not ruling out the fact that the SME sector is also for the youth below 35 years of age. Studies have shown that concentration of the SME sector is in the age bracket of 35 years and 60 years of age. I am focusing on this sector because it contributes over 60 per cent of our GDP. It is an alternative government in terms of employment, wealth creation, development of entrepreneurial skills and so on. It is, therefore, a sector you cannot ignore. However, one of the major handicaps of the SME sector is capital injection. This sector requires support. It is the sector of creativity and innovation which are the major pillars of entrepreneurial growth or economic growth and development of any nation. This is part of the Vision 2030 of this country. So, when you ignore the age bracket of 35 years and above amongst men then you are also neglecting development and growth of entrepreneurial skills which are very crucial in the development of a nation like this one. What do I mean by “entrepreneurial skills”? What is “entrepreneurship”? Pillars of entrepreneurship are creativity and innovation which we need to support. This is something that men of the age bracket of 35 years and above are complaining about. I want to give an example of a concept like M-Pesa so that we understand what creativity is. Coming up with an idea like M-Pesa is what we call creativity. It is a noble idea. However, you can come up with that idea and it remains on the shelves. Perhaps, M-Pesa might not have been an idea by Safaricom; somebody came up with it. Innovation is 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."
}