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{
    "id": 610373,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/610373/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 346,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Otucho",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12837,
        "legal_name": "Mary Emaase Otuch",
        "slug": "mary-emaase-otuch"
    },
    "content": "From the outset, I want to say that the CDF is one of the success stories as far as development is concerned. When I look at my own constituency, I attribute 99 per cent of the infrastructure development in schools, dispensaries and polytechnics to the CDF. This replicates itself in all other constituencies across the country. Therefore, the notion that the CDF is a fund for Members of Parliament is misplaced and misleading. The CDF is a fund for the people and it is bringing a lot of development. Having said so, it is very unfortunate that the CDF has been declared unconstitutional by a court. However, we have lost nothing because even in their own wisdom, they suspended the orders for one year. That gives us time to do what is necessary. I am not a lawyer but I know that we have lawyers in this House. We have our Justice and Legal Affairs Committee. We should immediately task this Committee and a few other hon. Members, who may not be in that Committee, to put their heads together and come up with the way forward. The focus should be on the way forward because there is time for us to align whatever we need to align to the Constitution. I must also say that the CDF is a national Government fund. I do not know where they got the notion that it is not a national Government fund. The CDF is funded from national Government resources. We represent the national Government. So, saying that the CDF is unconstitutional is misleading the country. We should look at what it has achieved over the years. Children from poor families and the less fortunate are now getting the basic, tertiary and university education, courtesy of the CDF. So, we are saying that the CDF is there to stay, and that it should be enhanced. We shall be considering enhancing it through the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I know that there are many other hon. Members who want to contribute. Therefore, I want to leave it there. However, going forward, the Speaker should be given discretionary powers to enable him balance regions and gender, so that every hon. Member can get an opportunity to contribute to debate. It is sometimes very discouraging to come to this House prepared to contribute to debate and fail to get an opportunity to do so. Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker."
}