Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 89473,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/89473/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 110,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. ole Metito",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Regional Development Authorities",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 199,
        "legal_name": "Judah Katoo Ole-Metito",
        "slug": "judah-ole-metito"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to also support this Vote 12. I would like to highlight the challenges that this Ministry is facing, especially with respect to the rural areas. First, we want to say that there is the Urban Development Department in the Ministry that takes care of urban development plans. However, there is no rural development plan, or a rural development department in the Ministry. That is why we are not seeing much on the ground in the rural areas. I want to also highlight two things. One is about the Economic Stimulus Package that was rolled out in the last financial year. The three sectors, that is education, industry, through Jua Kali initiatives and health, have really taken root. There is a lot going on in those areas. If you look at their plan, it is indicated that about three or four constituencies have registered sixty per cent of work done on the ground. So, when the Minister replies, we would like to know what is happening in some areas. In my constituency, that is Loitoktok, we had set aside land for a fresh produce project; a contract was awarded but no work is going on. The Ministry has identified 30 fresh produce markets in the urban areas. It has allocated Kshs1.744 billion for development of those markets. Surprisingly, the Ministry has listed 18 livestock markets that were supposed to be developed, but there is no allocation for them at all. I know the Ministry got less than what they had asked from the Treasury; but, in their own wisdom, they should actually have balanced the 18 livestock markets against the 30 markets for fresh produce. At least, each side should have got something. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding the issue of market access, we are having a problem in the rural areas in bringing produce to the markets; something has to be done regarding rural roads under this Ministry. We have some roads which are under the Ministry of Roads and others fall under the CDF, and we are seeing some work going on. The roads that fall under the Ministry and which provide access to markets--- Farmers are really suffering losses because their produce is not reaching the markets. The Ministry has an allocation of Kshs450 million for the Kazi kwa Vijana (KKV) Programme. I think there should be a way of looking for concrete projects that the KKV on the ground should do. There is an allocation of Kshs150 million for the management of solid waste. I know it is not what was requested by the Ministry; it is a challenge on the ground, even in urban cities. The Ministry should come up with a very concrete plan on how to manage solid waste. Finally, I will touch on the Physical Planning Department. In line with the new constitutional dispensation, we will have county system. The Physical Planning Department, as it is now, is causing a lot of chaos in the rural counties. An example is the allocation of plots for development of commercial or residential units. You will find one plot being allocated to more than four people. The objective of this Ministry is to enhance local governments and also ensure efficient service delivery. It does that through ensuring transparency and accountability, among other issues. I think the Ministry should do something about this issue of physical planning and plots allocation. It should ensure that this is done in a much more transparent and accountable manner to avoid conflict and multiple ownership of title deeds. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to support."
}