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"content": "situations, have been helped through harambees. Schools have been built through harambees. Equally, students have had higher education courtesy of harambees; education here and abroad. The skills they have acquired have greatly assisted our economy and country. As we seek to regulate harambees, we will not be understating the role that public fundraisings have played. However, we all agree that over time the spirit of harambee has been misapplied and abused. Today, even in situations where fundraisings are being sought, it appears as if harambees are being held to support those who are able. Why do I say so? When you attend a harambee today, you will have to give out some money. There is a Kiswahili saying that goes; ukarimu waanzia nyumbani meaning that you must first contribute to others for them to contribute to your needs. Nowadays, you must be “somebody” to benefit from harambees, while initially it was meant to help needy cases; those whom the society felt had no other way. I do not want to go into all the needy cases that are assisted. We have cases of house warming where somebody can build a good house and call people to purportedly open or warm it. Within no time, all those who have attended are forced in some way to contribute. The areas which have been a bother and which have necessitated harambees over time can be isolated. These are areas like education and medical needs. If, as a Government, we really targeted these areas and assisted those who are unable to get schools or continue with their education; if there is a system that can ensure that there is free public health care, then we should have done away with half of what is required for harambees. However, because we have not fixed these areas and we pay lip service to them, then the issue of harambees must come in. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if there were scholarships for needy and bright students, then we would not require harambees. If bursaries that are being given today by the Government went to the really needy cases, we would not require assistance. If the health insurance scheme that our friend, Sen. (Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o, used to champion when he was a Minister had come in, then we would not be required to engage in fundraising for the purpose of health provision. Over time, the line between harambee and extortion has become very thin. If you are approached to contribute, you do not know whether you are being extorted or being forced because it is a condition. If you do not give, then there are consequences. It is like if you choose not to give, then be ready for the consequences. If you are a Member of Parliament, then be ready to go home in the next elections. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it has made business expensive particularly for those who hold public offices. This is because they must be seen to be contributing to assist the community and their resources or salaries are not enough. What they do next is to get those whom he is providing services for. These could be contractors who are seeking jobs in Government and a contractor would not refuse. Normally, he will say, yes, I will contribute but down the line, he will cut corners in a way that either the quality of the work done is substandard so that savings are realised or taxes are avoided in order to fund the public. At the end of the day business becomes expensive in Kenya. Harambees or fundraising, to some extent, have contributed to our uncompetitiveness in terms of productivity. Our products, whether in the private or public The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}