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{
    "id": 534999,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/534999/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 175,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Koech",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2031,
        "legal_name": "Sammy Cheruiyot Koech",
        "slug": "sammy-cheruiyot-koech"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this Motion. At the outset, I wish to register my thanks for the public policy statement contained in the President‟s Speech delivered here last week. I want to speak to three or four issues from the Speech. One is to thank the Jubilee Government for the good economic policies it has put in place. I believe that they have given rise to the fastest economic growth in Africa. As we rejoice for the growth, I want to say that the farmers, and particularly tea farmers, are languishing in poverty. They do not feel this growth because of poor prices. In the Speech, I did not see great emphasis put on the plight of farmers. I appeal to the Government to pay serious attention to the farmers in general and tea farmers in particular. On infrastructure, I thank the Government for the programmes it has put in place. The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, which is underway, will have a serious impact on our economy. We want to see the annuity programme started. It has been mooted for a while. However, before we even get to the annuity programme, I urge the Government to implement the designs which have already been done. In my constituency, a road was designed about three or four years ago and nothing has been done so far. As we embrace the annuity programme, I urge the Government to start with the programmes which have already been planned. That is because the consultants have been paid and have taken off with the money, but the projects have not started. On energy, I thank the Government for the rural electrification which is ongoing. In my constituency, a number of schools have benefited through that programme. We also thank the Government for the reduction in consumer bills. Though marginally, we hope that in the near future, it will reach a level where it can benefit our industries. On corruption, I fully support the President. He has shown tremendous courage to bite the bullet in the fight against corruption. Those who have been named should step aside to allow for investigations to take place. Even if you are in an elective office, you should step aside so that investigations can be carried out. The presupposed ambiguity that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a county is not the governor should not exist. We know that the governor is the CEO of the county. He is accountable for all malpractices. I urge governors who have been named to step aside for investigations to be carried out. On the issue of apology given by the President, I truly believe it is in order. It puts to rest the burden which has been carried forward by successive governments. The restorative justice fund which was created is also in order. I am happy that the people of Chepchebas in my constituency will now sigh in relief and in anticipation that compensation is coming their way. I support."
}