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{
    "id": 492324,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/492324/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 260,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Chanzu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 11,
        "legal_name": "Yusuf Kifuma Chanzu",
        "slug": "yusuf-chanzu"
    },
    "content": "What was expected was that we were going to have a repeat of the elections and there was a provision of Kshs6 billion in the Budget. The President in his wisdom felt that it should be given to the youth, women and those with disabilities. In fact, the training that is going on for the Uwezo Fund for most of us who have been able to witness what is going on, has taken a lot of time. In Vihiga County, those who have gone for training have taken it very positively. In fact, the impression that I got is that if you look at the money where constituencies get between Kshs16 million and Kshs20 million and you look at the people who are benefitting; it may not make a lot of sense. In fact, I do not know how the Government is going to treat the Fund, but it is something that should be a permanent feature. It should be an annual funding. Again, I think at a later stage maybe the Budget and Appropriations Committee should consider increasing the Fund. However, I think what this Motion is looking at is how to have all inclusiveness because I think when the pronouncements were made by the President about Uwezo Fund, he could not have talked about everybody. This is because he considered the amount involved and thought about self employment among the youth because they happen to constitute a very large proportion of the population, and when you add on women it is even much larger. So, that is why the President thought that for it to make sense, we capture that section. It is good because there is no other way unless the country is industrialised through schemes like the Uwezo Fund. If we had proper organization, this is not treated politically and there is enough civic education, we can industrialise our economy. You will remember the Jua Kali initiative which was introduced many years back by the former President Moi. I know most of the Members do not know but if you go to places like Muthurwa and Gikomba, there is a lot that goes on. It is only that those who are involved in the day to day running of the Government, the so-called technocrats, have not taken interest to put this political statement into reality, so that we can have this formalized and create employment. If you look at the school boxes which are made there, first of all, they are secure. The only thing is that there is no precision because those who are charged with the responsibility of standards in the Government have not taken interest. So, the funding, so that it is all inclusive, is important. I heard hon. Sakaja talking about each one being given some money. We are not giving this money to individuals, but to groups. It is going to be revolving funds. A group of people will use the money and when they have repaid it, it will be given to another group. So, it is not hand outs. The impression that he created in his point of order is that these are hand outs. They are not hand outs. The organization should be such that the Fund is managed transparently. The groups should be trained to know that the money they are given will be paid back. It should also be known if it is interest free but at least with some service charge. That is the purpose. It is important that we have mechanisms of having an all inclusive fund, so that everybody is taken care of. Those who are saying that if women get the money they will take care of the men, you know what that means. How long can somebody be working and you are just sitting at home and expect to be taken care of, particularly if you are a man? This should not happen in the African society. It happens in other places but not here. You will be given food the first day, the second day, but the third day you will be 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."
}