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{
"id": 1521342,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521342/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Baringo County, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Jematiah Sergon",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I like the way you have mentioned my name. It reminds me of the days we were in campus together. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I also want to add my contribution to this Bill. First, I congratulate the Committee for a very well elaborated Report. Members who have contributed have also added much weight to the Equalisation Fund (Administration) Bill (Senate Bill No.14 of 2023) that came back to us. This gives the document good weight. Counties are beneficiaries of this Equalisation Fund, and Baringo is one of them. So far, we have been allocated some money, and four constituencies are benefiting in my county. Tiaty Constituency has got a sizeable amount of money. We also have Baringo South, Baringo North and Mogotio. These areas have dire needs in terms of basic amenities such as water and schools and, largely, in sparsely populated areas. This Bill also comes when we are trying to correct the colonial errors and bad administration that began in this country long ago, immediately after independence. Sessional Paper No.10 side-lined and gave much weight to some specific areas that already had resources that could build themselves and left out the more significant part of Kenya and, specifically, the largely sparsely populated area. Now that we are here, I reiterate what Hon. Moroto said: that leaders today and in the future will be keen on ensuring that the utilities and money allocated to these areas are well utilised. As the Committee has put it, they have given us a board-people who will be sitting and distributing these monies all the way to the counties. Senate is involved, including at the consistency level. These are the people who will determine which projects are going to be implemented using this Equalisation Fund. At the enactment of this Constitution, the Equalisation Fund had a timeline. Article 204 of the Constitution states that the allocation of this money was given a sunset of 20 years. Article 204(6) says: This Article lapses 20 years after the effective date, subject to Clause (7).” (7) Parliament may enact legislation suspending the effect of Clause (6) for further fixed periods of years, subject to the Clause (8) (8) Legislation under Clause (7) shall be supported by more than half of all the Members of the National Assembly, and more than half of all the county delegations in the Senate.” This is a very crucial Article for me because I am looking forward to another legislation to give this Fund another lease of life. After all, the Fund's disbursement and enactment was not started at the right time. There was a lot of push and pull between Parliament and the Judiciary that kept these monies for very long, and that is why they started to disburse the other day. If you look at the country today, I do not want to predict that in the future, more counties will benefit from this money. However, if you look at equalisation, it does not only mean semi- The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
},
{
"id": 1521343,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521343/?format=api",
"text_counter": 224,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Baringo County, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Jematiah Sergon",
"speaker": null,
"content": "arid and arid areas; we also have areas in cities like Nairobi where you still have marginalised people in the informal sector. Going forward, these people should also be considered so that it does not look like we are only looking for these monies to benefit people who are very far away. While we look at Nairobi, for instance, in terms of population and people moving towards cities and urban areas, it should also be considered that we need to categorise so that when we are doing further legislation, we need to understand who is marginalised in the society. It does not only mean that you are marginalised when you do not have water. You can have water but are marginalised in many other areas. We also have to look at the amenities that we build, whether we will strictly build schools that can take care of children or people living with disability. This could also be considered equalisation, so society is equal in many ways. Since most Members have also contributed a lot, I will be very keen as we enact this Bill going forward. Thank you."
},
{
"id": 1521344,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521344/?format=api",
"text_counter": 225,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Martha Wangari",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": {
"id": 13123,
"legal_name": "Martha Wangari",
"slug": "martha-wangari"
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"content": " Thank you. Member for Njoro, Hon. Kathambi."
},
{
"id": 1521345,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521345/?format=api",
"text_counter": 226,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Njoro, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Charity Chepkwony",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for granting me this opportunity so that I can contribute to the Equalisation Fund (Administration) Bill (Senate Bill No.14 of 2023). First, I thank the team, which was led by our able colleague. Allow me also to make some comments. The Equalisation Fund is very important in this country. However, this money should not only be meant for the arid and semi-arid areas because there is some culture and thinking that sometimes, it is only arid and semi-arid areas which might be purely in need of this Fund. I propose that the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) should go beyond and feature other areas in this country, because even though the Fund was traditionally meant for the marginalised areas, some areas in this country have many challenges. People who have not visited some parts of Rift Valley, including your constituency, Hon. Temporary Speaker and mine, Njoro Constituency, would not understand why we are saying that in future, the Fund should be applied to other parts of the country to bring fairness to other Kenyans. Some parts of my constituency are dry almost every year. We have many challenges, such as people not getting food when others are harvesting in this country. If you visit a place called Kilo in Naishi, Mahiga, Kianjoya, Kamunge’i, Mauche and extend to a place called Piave in Njoro Constituency, you will be shocked at the way people are suffering due to lack of water and challenges in matters food insecurity. This year, when I was going to launch some schools, I had to lobby for food so that I could give to some specific schools because of the challenges they have. Therefore, when discussing equalisation, when the CRA is planning project priorities, let them also go beyond and look at other constituencies that have not been considered previously. What should be most emphasised in the Equalisation Fund is coming up with the right project, the right project cost, timelines for project completion, and proper management of the Fund. As my colleague said, the Fund should be extended to most constituencies. She is from Rift Valley, which has not benefited from this Fund. If they are considered, we expect many irrigation projects to be initiated in areas that are also affected. So many arid and semi-arid areas do not have basic needs like water, health, and roads. In my Constituency, one of the largest in Nakuru County, there is a big challenge with road networks and electricity. We want fairness in the distribution of the Equalisation Fund. Some constituencies still face many challenges regarding health services, electrification, water, roads, and food security. In future, if we are to mainstream this Fund, other areas with many challenges should be considered. The Fund is very important. As Members of Parliament who have undergone many challenges in The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
},
{
"id": 1521346,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521346/?format=api",
"text_counter": 227,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Njoro, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Charity Chepkwony",
"speaker": null,
"content": "our constituencies that have never been considered, we propose that the Fund should be inclusive in the future. Thank you for the time you have given me, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
},
{
"id": 1521347,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521347/?format=api",
"text_counter": 228,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Martha Wangari",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": {
"id": 13123,
"legal_name": "Martha Wangari",
"slug": "martha-wangari"
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"content": " Thank you very much. Member for Trans Nzoia, Hon. Siyoi."
},
{
"id": 1521348,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521348/?format=api",
"text_counter": 229,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Trans Nzoia County, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Lillian Siyoi",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for this opportunity to contribute to the Equalisation Fund. The Fund was supposed to be good for marginalised areas. While going through this document, I realised it is a National Government Fund. Some areas are not marginalised per se, but the levels of poverty are too high, and it is important that we consider such areas. But when I went through the document, I realised that the Fund is being disbursed to county governments. I feel this Fund could be given to Members of Parliament because they are closer to the people. Constituencies belong to Members of Parliament, and they can tell what each part needs. I support this Report. As my colleagues have said, this Fund must equalise all constituencies, wards and other underdeveloped areas. This will ensure that all Kenyans get equal services. Thank you so much, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
},
{
"id": 1521349,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521349/?format=api",
"text_counter": 230,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Martha Wangari",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": {
"id": 13123,
"legal_name": "Martha Wangari",
"slug": "martha-wangari"
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"content": " Hon. Umi, Member for Mandera."
},
{
"id": 1521350,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521350/?format=api",
"text_counter": 231,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mandera County, UDM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Umul Kheir Kassim",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for this opportunity. Article 204 of the Constitution establishes the Equalisation Fund to bring regions that were not developed at par with the developed areas. Unfortunately, the Fund is not what it was meant to be. We have seen constituencies saying that they have pockets of marginalisation, so the Fund has lost the meaning of why it was created in the first place. As you know, it has a sunset clause of 20 years. We are in the 14th year, six years to its lapse, and there is nothing to show for it, which is unfortunate. Mandera County is behind in all forms of development, be it water, education or healthcare. I feel that Members of Parliament have let down the people they represent. Healthcare facilities are built for Ksh3 million or Ksh4 million, which is not what they were meant for. Each marginalised county that receives the Fund should implement one big project that is impactful to the community, not many small projects that do not make sense. I support this Report. I am part of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. My able Chair has been seated from 2.30 p.m. to ensure that this Bill sails through. I commend Hon. Kuria Kimani for the good job he is doing. Thank you very much."
},
{
"id": 1521351,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521351/?format=api",
"text_counter": 232,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Martha Wangari",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": {
"id": 13123,
"legal_name": "Martha Wangari",
"slug": "martha-wangari"
},
"content": " Thank you very much. Member for Kuresoi South, do you want to speak to this matter? Hold on, Hon. Tonui. You have already spoken to this matter. You are on record. I will give the opportunity to Hon. Dorothy, who is still walking on the aisle."
}
]
}