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{
    "id": 887056,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/887056/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 280,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Baringo South, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Charles Kamuren",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1202,
        "legal_name": "Charles Kamuren",
        "slug": "charles-kamuren"
    },
    "content": "means that there is a gap in the implementation of these proposals. I am aware - and that is what is going on - that we are lacking agricultural extension officers who are supposed to move round educating people on how to farm and get good yields from their farms. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I think there is a gap in terms of oversight. So, we do not get value for money. We need to improve on that. Any idea that comes should originate from the farmers, so that they can own and sustain every new technology and approach to farming. In my constituency, we have 14 irrigation schemes. There is Perkerra National Irrigation Scheme, Mukutani, Embossos in Arabal, Sandai and Kamoskoi. There are several other irrigation schemes, but there are no funds allocated to develop them. We still have many challenges in Perkerra Irrigation Scheme. I appreciate what the Principal Secretary did recently. He sent a team from the Ministry to assess the situation. I am, however, not sure about the allocation that will be made to those irrigation schemes. If the funding will be inadequate, then we will still face the same challenges next year. We will be affected by hunger and we will again call upon the Government to assist us. Farmers are now willing to work on their farms to produce food that will be enough for them and other Kenyans. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I support the additional conditional allocation for rehabilitation of youth polytechnics. I have seen that Kshs2 billion has been allocated for that. I hope this money will be equally distributed among the constituencies in the county to help in the rehabilitation of polytechnics. There are youth in villages who did not make it to colleges or universities. They should get vocational skills to sustain their livelihoods. We have Marigat Vocational Training Centre that is of great assistance to the youth in my constituency. It is a very old institution and the only one in that area. Its condition is worrying and yet, an allocation was made last year. If these funds are not equally distributed, some constituencies and polytechnics will not receive enough. Marigat Vocational Training Centre only needs Kshs29 million to be refurbished and it will serve about 1,000 youth. But there is no funding. We were also planning to open Ramacha, Sandai, Mogoswok and Sokon vocational training colleges, but we do not have money. I believe the allocation of Kshs2 billion that has been made to this sector will help us achieve that. Kenyans need to understand that this is their money. Kenyans only wait for the Auditor- General to give the report on audited accounts and then go all over the social media to react. As citizens, they do not follow up on those allocations. They have failed in their duty. There is need for public participation. The county governments should educate citizens on the importance of holding governments accountable. Citizens should monitor projects once tenders have been awarded to contractors so that they can own the process. Public participation should be enhanced. The Members of the County Assemblies (MCAs) should oversee county projects. Senators should also educate citizens on various projects. They should not just be in the Senate in Nairobi. They should visit their counties. Whenever there are problems in the counties, Senators should offer solutions. I have stayed for long without seeing my Senator. I, however, saw him recently distributing food to residents of Tiaty. I want to request him to also visit Baringo South. I requested the Government for food for my constituents, and I appreciate its support. We, however, still need its support. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I support the Division of Revenue Bill, 2019."
}