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{
    "id": 81708,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/81708/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 421,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Mohammed Sirat",
    "speaker_title": "The Member of Parliament for Wajir South",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 392,
        "legal_name": "Mohamed Mohamud Sirat",
        "slug": "mohamed-sirat"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Wajir South is one of the four constituencies in Wajir County. As a Member of Parliament for the expansive Wajir South Constituency which has equal size to Central and Western provinces combined, I really understand the enormous task awaiting me. The inhabitants of Wajir South Constituency are marginalized. They have little if any, access to water, basic medicare, education, roads, issuance of ID cards and so on. Thank God that the new Constitution guarantees the uplifting of basic standards of living in my constituency, the larger Wajir County and the marginalized communities in Kenya. Under Section 43 of the Constitution, my constituents and all Kenyans have inalienable rights to the highest attainable standards of health; accessible and adequate housing; freedom from hunger; right to adequate food; clean and safe water; social security and education. Under Section 25 of the Constitution, the Government is required to use the Equalization Fund to provide basic services including water, health, roads and electricity to marginalized areas and to ensure that the quality of these services is at the same level as those enjoyed by the rest of Kenyans. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, to bring to your attention, Wajir South Constituency which has an area of 22,000 square kilometers has only three secondary schools and no college. You can imagine the needs of the people of Wajir South. On health, the story is not different. The existing health facilities are poor, inadequately equipped and miles apart. There is only one medical doctor in Wajir South Constituency which is vast. There is no ambulance or motor vehicle in Wajir South Constituency. I hope the Ministers concerned are listening. Section 203 of the Constitution requires that special attention is given to economic disparities within and amongst counties in the equitable distribution of national revenue to the 47 counties and 210 constituencies. I believe that the entire northern Kenya and other arid lands require more than what is given for the devolved fund, the Economic Stimulus Package or our Ministry for that matter. The Ministry of Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands has just, but a name to depict the particular needs of the people of the region and other arid lands. For example, in the 2008/2009 Financial Year when I went to the Ministry to request for a genset for a broken borehole, the Ministry could not afford it and yet it cost only Kshs1.5 million. This Ministry is just but a name. However, without proper leadership; curbing and elimination of corruption and without a proper and effective judicial system, the gains achieved in the promulgation will remain on paper. They will only be as valuable as the paper they are printed on. I look forward to the rest of the term in this House to do whatever that is required of me as a Member of Parliament and as a leader in my community to ensure that these fundamental rights become tangible and that they are not eroded by mismanagement of public funds. This can only be achieved by laying down a proper and enabling legal framework. The national revenue and national resources allocated to county governments and Ministries should not go into the pockets of individuals. This House has an opportunity to ensure that funds are only used to lay a foundation for the future of this nation by enabling foolproof county management laws. In a nutshell, my people have sent me with one great message, and I would like to share it with all who are in this august House. The message is: My people are willing to move out of under-development. Hon. Members of this House have the means to make them realise development. If they do not, they will put the blame on us because we are the Government of the day. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir."
}