Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 879664,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/879664/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 374,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Samburu West, KANU",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Naisula Lesuuda",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13122,
        "legal_name": "Naisula Lesuuda",
        "slug": "naisula-lesuuda"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I also rise to support this Bill. From the outset, I want to say that the import of this Bill is actually clear. It is just to align itself to the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act 2012 where we know that the National Sports Fund was passed and it was not in accordance with the PFM Act 2012. Having said that, it is important for us as a House to insist that we have seen many funds being established. We have funds like the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). In some ways, they are helping and doing what they are supposed to do. If in this Bill we are saying that we want to ensure that there is a comprehensive approach to financing the sports, arts and social sector in our country, then indeed it should serve that purpose. When you look at how the monies will be generated from the Exchequer, we can also see that taxes will be raised from betting, lotteries and even Short Message Service (SMS). You can imagine how many messages we send every other day out there. If the money that is going to be raised will also come from SMS, it means that this Fund will actually have a substantial amount of money. If that is the case, then we need to see that this Fund actually trickles down to the lowest level. What one honourable Member has said is very important. We should see how we can partner even with the already existing institutions like NG-CDF, which also at the lowest level ensure that we have sports. Sometimes even in our constituencies, we see that the things that one would really want to do at the constituency level with the kind of allocation we have for sports, it would not be substantial. With the high rate of unemployment we have many young people using their talents in terms of arts. We have people who are good in poetry, acting, music and they are not supported sufficiently to pursue their dreams. So, if this Fund will ensure that these issues are looked into, we will also deal with the issue of unemployment which is a big problem for us in our country. Secondly, we have seen a number of times our athletes and footballers not being able to participate in major tournaments after they have put in a lot of effort, exercise and time. When the time comes for them to travel and participate, they are told that there are no funds. Sometimes when they travel, the conditions they live in are deplorable and it is a shame for us even as a country yet when they go out there, they bring pride to us as a country. So, I support the Bill but with a rider that the Committee which will be overseeing this Fund has to ensure that it actually serves the purpose that it is intended for. We hope that we will get to see more young people being involved in issues of sports up to the lowest level and even tapping the talent at the grassroots level. We cannot belabour the importance of ensuring that sports and arts are sufficiently funded in our country. I support the Bill."
}