Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 492299,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/492299/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 235,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Prof.) Nyikal",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 434,
        "legal_name": "James Nyikal",
        "slug": "james-nyikal"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this. There is no doubt that in this country today, there is need for a fund that we can call a fund for all ages and all sexes. I think the affirmative action that brought into being the other funds that are in place now is good. It was well intended but the time has come that we must realize that unless something is done, they will look discriminatory. The Women Enterprise Development Fund (WEDF), the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF), Uwezo Fund and Kazi kwa Vijana, all these funds, if looked at carefully, would be seen to be discriminatory. The Seconder of this Motion clearly pointed out Articles 19(2), 24 (1)(a) and 21(3) of the Constitution. There is need to look at the issue of men aged 35 years and above. Article 27 of the Constitution re-emphasizes this further. Article 27(3) indicates that women and men have the right to equal treatment including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres. Article 27(4) says that the State shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground, including race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, colour, age disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth. All the funds that are in existence do not address the issue of men above 35 years of age. I have had the opportunity to be involved in the implementation of the other funds. Every time you meet a crowd and you are talking about the YEDF, the WEDF, the Kazi kwa Vijana, the men ask you: “In this country, when you are a man and you are 35 years and above, what does the Government do for you?” At least above 65 years, there is the elderly person’s cash transfer which is meant to support people who may not be able to work. What about the men between 35 years and 65 years who are still willing to work and may not have the means to start enterprises that they will want to utilize to earn a living for themselves? Only the small and medium enterprises in this country address this issue but this particular programme has not worked well and is not well known. It has also not been accessible to men. I know that the funds we have mentioned have shown success and it is for this reason that the men feel aggrieved. They are funds that are working well. You can see the women in particular have done well with the WEDF and they ask where they are. As the programme stands today, we tell them to get into the groups of women or the youth. They ask why they cannot have something directly for them as Kenyans. This is for men between 35 years and 65 years. Many Kenyans and particularly this group are excluded from the money economy in this country. In the rural areas, many people cannot borrow money from banks. It 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."
}