Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 603797,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/603797/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 237,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Lessonet",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 67,
        "legal_name": "Moses Lessonet",
        "slug": "moses-lessonet"
    },
    "content": "While looking at this new Bill, we advertised for public participation. We invited the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning, the CDF Board and even the petitioners who took us to court, who are the Institute of Social Accountability and the Centre for Governance. We invited them to make presentations to our Committee. We have taken note of their observations. Those petitioners were satisfied and were comfortable that in this new Bill, we have attempted to address the particular issues. I know that Members are concerned about the role of the Member of Parliament (MP) in this new Bill. I want to assure Members that this Bill has attempted to address that question of the role of Members of Parliament. I want to beg Members to read the National Government Constituency Development Fund Bill very comprehensively. You will be able to identify your role in the Bill. Members of the Constituencies Development Fund Committee (CDFC) in the current Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) Act, 2013 were derived from an electoral process which started from the location, the ward level to the constituency. In this new Bill, there will be no elections. This House will be invited to table regulations shortly after the passage of this Bill, because we have agreed that the appointment of the CDFC shall now be done in a manner to be stipulated in the regulations. We are all aware that regulations are also processed through this House. We will invite Members to comment on the regulations at that time, on how the CDFC members should be appointed. As we discuss this Bill, I want to request Members to go through it and give us their views immediately the regulations are tabled. Even before we break for recess in December, the regulations should have been tabled in this House. The Ministry of Devolution and Planning was very supportive. They are with us 100 per cent in the belief that the Constituencies Development Fund will remain intact to fill the development gaps and shortcomings in every constituency. They were very committed to the fact that this is the most devolved fund. There is no other fund which is available in every constituency. We are aware of the challenges that we have when funds remain at the county level and have to be processed through a House like this one, namely the county assembly. The CDF is a citizens’ fund. It is a mwananchi fund. It is there for the mwananchi to decide on how to spend funds at the grassroots level. It is the only fund which interacts directly with the"
}