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{
    "id": 644394,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/644394/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 210,
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    "content": "of the day but yourself too. We must get out of these cocoons and start thinking as a people who desire to take Kenya forward. That way, if by any chance– which I see is getting slimmer by the day – those who are in the Opposition have an opportunity to come to this side of the Government, they must continue with the programmes that are being run by the Government with the aim of achieving that greater vision for our nation. The President also mentioned very important things about our economy. There are many stories about our economy doing badly. However, there are statistics speaking for themselves in terms of reports from institutions like the African Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank which have demonstrated that we are making progress although more work should and can be done. The President also talked about the opportunity to make our environment better for doing business in terms of what we have done as Parliament, passing certain legislations that create a conducive environment for us to attract foreign investors and for ease of doing business. I am also glad to note the President mentioned a very important flagship project for this Government, which is the railway project. The project will be extended to Naivasha, Kisumu and Malaba. I really like the idea that we will create an inland port in Kisumu County. If there is something that will change the economy of this country, it is that kind of a port. Those who transport their goods to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Burundi will take advantage of Lake Victoria. Again, we will turn Kisumu County into a very important economic hub. The benefits will affect all the counties that are in the western part of the country, one of them being your county, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Siaya and Homa Bay. The economies of that area will benefit a great deal if we create a port in Kisumu County rather than just having a railway passing through the Kenyan towns of Eldoret, and Malaba to Kampala. There is greater benefit when you create a port in Kisumu County. This is important. If those of us on this side were thinking like our colleagues who are seated on the other side, we would have just started saying: “Why is it going to Kisumu County and not Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi and other places?” However, we are cognizant of the fact that it does not have to pass my county for it to change the economy of the county. You have to look at where there is a greater and maximum benefit to the nation. I think that is one of the greatest contributions. Another thing that I need to point out is the question of devolution. The President mentioned very important things about devolution. If there is a failure in devolved governance – let me say this – it is not for lack of money. There is no county in this nation that has used the money that has been devolved to the extent that they are saying: “We are lacking money to do another thing.” The biggest problem in so far as devolved funds are concerned in this country now, is accountability and proper use of those resources. If you have nearly Kshs1 trillion, something that never used to happen before, being sent to various entities in county governments to serve this country, the results must be seen. The President stopped short of indicting this House. We have a responsibility to oversight county governments and ensure that they achieve the goals that were expected of devolved governance. I think once this House is given the resources 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"
}