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"id": 49866,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Mbau",
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"id": 182,
"legal_name": "Elias Peter Mbau",
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"content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to express my sincere appreciation to all the hon. Members who have supported this very noble Motion of taking care of our departed friends, relatives and for being mindful of the fact that there is life after death. Indeed, as Christians, I believe those of us in Kenya know that we say that even after we are buried, there is life we expect to live. So, it is only fair that we are dispatched to that other world and escorted in a manner that is befitting and honourable to the lives that we lived here. I brought this Motion knowing very well that only a few people are remembered after they have left this worldly life. Those few people are the ones who occupy positions of authority and responsibility or were known. Millions of many others beyond this life are never remembered. It, therefore, behooves leaders and those that value humanity for its sake to think and accord those that depart this honourable send-off. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also want to thank the Minister for Medical Services for agreeing with the spirit as well as the letter of this Motion. I note with appreciation that the Minister does agree that to the extent that his Ministry, which oversees the health sector; to the extent that he has resources provided by the Government and the facilities he oversees, to take care of the costs incurred in mortuaries, in way of electricity, casual workers and other charges and fees, he is in concurrence and also supports this Motion. I want to thank all the 12 hon. Members who have supported this Motion. They are Mr. Chanzu, Mr. Mureithi (Ol Kalau), Mr. Affey, Mrs. Odhiambo-Mabona, Eng. Maina, Mr. Shakeel, Mr. Njuguna, Mr. Yakub, Mr. Letimalo, Mr. James Maina Kamau (Kandara), Mr. C. Kilonzo and Mr. Kenneth. I want to thank them very sincerely, for I believe that they have supported this Motion because they are in touch with their constituents and they know what they go through, especially when this happens. We must also, as a Parliament, continue to appeal to Treasury and the Government to ensure that the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals also require that 15 per cent of the national Budget should be appropriated to the health sector or actually be executed. If you look at the current allocation, according to the Budget Policy Statement, you will find that we have only 7 per cent that is targeted to go to this sector. This is not even half of what is recommended by the world body so that we can also, as a country, continue to move with speed towards the achievement of the 15 per cent that should eventually be able to move this country and its health sector towards a sector that is able to achieve the milestones as is envisaged. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to thank the hon. Members, but I must say that time is of the essence. I had indicated in the Motion before it was slightly amended, and this amendment is in order--- This amendment specifically appeals to the Treasury. If you look at the Motion in its entirety, you will find that it was urging the Government to waive mortuary fees. To me, in moving the Motion, the Government encompasses the Treasury. What the Minister has essentially done is to isolate the Treasury as the funding department and make it the one liable for ensuring that monies are put in for this item. So, time is of the essence. We need to know, move and appeal even to Members of the Implementation Committee, that immediately this Motion passes we need to see it implemented."
}