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{
    "id": 654021,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/654021/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 393,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Chanzu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 11,
        "legal_name": "Yusuf Kifuma Chanzu",
        "slug": "yusuf-chanzu"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to support the First Supplementary Estimates for 2015/2016. This is a process that is necessary because of the nature of what the Government deals with, both at the national and county levels in terms of items they could not see in advance. It touches on issues to do with value for money. We do not get feedback. One of the biggest problems we have in the Government, unlike private companies, is that we do not get feedback on the actual output or what the money has done. That is where the problem is. We are very keen to talk about very huge figures being appropriated for this and that. I find a problem when it comes to getting information on how the money has been used. It is like the people who receive the money to spend do not know how difficult it is to collect it. The KRA has a daunting task of reaching the targets. They go through a lot to realise their targets. We need prudence in spending. We need to get information on how the money has been utilised. I have seen that we are getting money for university education. It is very important. As a Committee, we are discussing about the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) money with public and private universities. It is a sector that seems to be growing very fast. We need a lot of money for us to take care of the youngsters that we take to university. The other day, a colleague here was comparing the days of the “boom” and now. The idea of giving students money to go and look for their own accommodation and food is very difficult. I agree with the issue of funding university education. However, I think we have to do much more. Between now and June, we do not have enough time to assess how the additional money that we are appropriating will run activities up to the Budget time in June. We need to expose the youth to various skills. As a Government, we are unable to create white collar jobs. So, the only thing we can rely on is skills for self employment. Another aspect is the issue of preventive health services. The other day, there was an advert or an announcement from some forum that malaria is becoming resistant to a lot of drugs. These are the areas where this money should be spent, so that we can protect Kenyans from getting such diseases which appear to be chronic. This is an important area. Management and protection of the environment and natural resources is also important. However, the issues involved here will be long-term. I believe this money will be spent on the projections they had made. The issue of youth and training is related to sports and culture. I am very happy that of late, the country has been doing very well not only in athletics, but also in rugby and other sports. The other day, I saw the President making an announcement at State House that the team which won in Singapore in rugby was going to be given Kshs10 million. The only thing I could not understand is how that money would be apportioned because it is a big team. He made an announcement and said that everybody involved would get the money. The President has to do that in order to motivate Kenyans to participate in sports. I just hope that The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}