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{
    "id": 796995,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/796995/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 147,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. A.B. Duale",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Deputy Speaker, Hon Kilonzo then, was a member of Wiper Democratic Movement–Kenya (WDM-K). During the Constitution Referendum, he went to bed with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He was close to the former Prime Minister. Because they branded some of us, including my party leader, the current President, the late John Michuki as “watermelons”, he still believes I am a watermelon. I voted and my constitutes voted. Back to the Bill, the Equalisation Fund is a special fund established under Article 204 of the Constitution to upscale delivery of service and facilities in areas that have been marginalised by nothing else but centralisation in resource allocation. Before the advent of the 2010 Constitution, Kenya in terms of resources was run through a centralisation policy. It is sad today; we voted for devolution and the pastoralist counties get the highest allocation of resources starting with Turkana. The three counties of North Eastern get over Kshs30 billion and still we do not see much on the ground. I am sure as years go by, things will change. This Fund was to be utilised on provision of four key areas of water, health, electricity and roads. The Constitution further gives a time line for the delivery of Equalisation Fund at 20 years. This means we are behind schedule in terms of actual implementation. This responsibility lies with Equalisation Fund Advisory Board. This Fund is only for 20 years and already eight years are gone and nothing can be seen on the ground. The Budget and Appropriations Committee needs to be recognised for the way they have worked. I want to thank the Chairperson. It is Friday last week that we decided we should pass this Bill before we go on recess. In fact, Monday afternoon, the Committee had a sitting and they went through this Report. Last night, through the Office of the Clerk, we made sure that the Bill is published. So, the current Budget and Appropriations Committee has done a good job within a short time to bring us a Report and to prepare the Equalisation Bill. This House needs to approve these funds for ultimate utilisation by the people concerned. The resources appropriated from the Equalisation Fund in the past have been treated like the resources appropriated annually yet this Fund ought to be treated like the NG-CDF is treated. It must be ring fenced. Even if a financial year lapses, the resources are available for utilisation. That is why the Chairperson said that once we come back, we will amend the Public Finance Management Act to provide for that ring fencing. I want Members to support that."
}