Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs the following Question by Private Notice. (a) Could the Minister justify the sending of a large delegation, including five Cabinet Ministers, to Geneva ostensibly to articulate the Coalition Government’s position on Prof. Philip Alston’s Report at the UN? (b) What was the composition of the entire delegation as well as the total cost of the trip to the Government? (c) Could the Minister consider instituting measures to recover the expenses incurred by the Ministers for Lands and East African Community, whose inclusion in the trip was not necessary?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to seek your guidance. When this Question came to our notice, we realized that the issues raised relate to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Office of the President. The leader of the delegation to Geneva was the Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security. So, we have written to the Clerk of the National Assembly so that this Question could be directed to the right Ministry.

Order! The practice is that when a Question is forwarded to you and you are convinced that it applies to another Ministry and not yours, you forward it to the relevant Ministry and then copy that forwarding letter to the Clerk’s Office. Have you complied with that?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we did so. We notified the other Ministry and also gave the letter to the Clerk.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is yet another demonstration of a Coalition Government which is pulling apart and which does not know what it is doing. It is unable to resolve its problems here and it goes all the way to Geneva to wash its dirty linen in the international public.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. The other issue that arises from this matter is that the Speaker actually directed that the Minister should come with an answer today. In fact, the only reason why the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance was excused was because it was a Budget week. Hon. Members are prepared to have this Question this week. Members of the public want to know what happened in Geneva. Why was everyone paid so much money and how was the money accounted for? Why is the Government running away from answering the Question?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to agree with my colleagues that we should not be seen as if we, as the Government, are evading to answer the Question. Now that we have we have directed the Question to the relevant Ministry, perhaps, the Chair should give direction as to the next date when this Question should be answered. Otherwise, I want to very sincerely apologize to my colleagues. Our concerns are really genuine.

Which Ministry did you forward this Question to?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we forwarded the Question to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

What was the direction of the Chair on that material day?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the direction of the Chair on that material day was that this Question will be answered by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. The only reason why the Question was deferred was because it was a Budget week and according to our tradition, during the Budget week, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance does not answer any Question. At that point in time, there was no indication, whatsoever, that this Question will be re-directed to another Ministry.

In view of the fact that we do not have the Leader of Government Business in the House---

Hon. Midiwo is here!

Hon. Midiwo cannot play that substantive role, or hon. Thuo for that matter, to make an undertaking on behalf of the Government. That is because they are not Members of the Government. They do not sit in the Cabinet. This is a case of an extreme application of the ruling from the Chair, which means that when a Ministry does not feel that it is the right Ministry to deal with a Question, it should forward the Question to the relevant Ministry and copy the forwarding letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly. I am made to understand that this Question was initially directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which then proceeded and said that the Question has financial implications and should be directed to the Ministry of Finance. Indeed, the Ministry of

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, first of all, I am very happy to be a senior Minister. Secondly, I undertake to convey the message to the relevant Ministry, so that an answer could be given. I will consult all of them, so that we can get an answer to the Question.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I am really concerned because this Question was before the House last week and it was directed to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. It was re-directed to the Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs. It has now been further directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have not been told whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has agreed to tackle this Question. So, we need to have an assurance as to whether when this Question comes to the House next week, it will be answered by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. If the Government is not sure, then it should re-direct the Question to the Prime Minister, so that this Question can be disposed of next week.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. We are all aware of the sensitivity of Prof. Philip Alston’s Report. In this regard, would I be in order to ask the senior Cabinet Minister present in this House this afternoon to indicate which Ministry this Question will be re-directed to? In my view, this Question cuts across the Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Instead of this Question being tossed from one Ministry to another, it should be referred to the Prime Minister.

You have made your point. The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, are you inclined to take a position on this? Proceed, and give us the way forward!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I assure my colleague that the answer will be available to the House before Thursday next week by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

That is now an undertaking of the Government. You are doing it on behalf of the Government.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I assure you.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. First of all, this Question was directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but it was returned. You have just indicated to the House that a senior Cabinet Minister gives an undertaking. Is it in order for a “junior” Minister to contradict his senior Cabinet Minister?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, if my colleague, Mr. Linturi, would look at the Constitution, he will see that a Minister is a Minister.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I think the substantive point here is lost. Clearly, this Question first went to the Ministry of Foreign

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we had to consult. That is why the Ministry for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs has to make a reference back to us. I can assure you that we have got the information from the Ministry of Finance. We will give you the answer you require on Thursday.

Mr. Haji, having taken a position on this, does your position conform to what the Assistant Minister said because you sit in the Cabinet! The hon. Assistant Minister does not sit in the Cabinet. The Government has got the collective responsibility.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the first place, Questions are not send to the Cabinet. Secondly, I and the Assistant Minister here, have undertaken to given an answer on Thursday. All you want is an answer. The answer will be given on Thursday as has been stated.

Indeed, you will have the Statement and we will know at that time. The Question will appear on the Order Paper on Thursday afternoon. It is so ordered.

Next Question, Mr. Nyamai.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask the Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology the following Question by Private Notice. (a) Is the Minister aware that Kenyan students on scholarship in Russian universities are about to be sent home as a result of economic difficulties facing their sponsor, M/s Universal Education Trust Fund? (b) Could the Government step in and assist the affected students, so that they can continue with their studies?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) I am aware of the problems being experienced by Kenyan students in Russia under the Universal Education Trust Fund. (b) I wish to inform the hon. Member that I have written to the Treasury seeking financial support for these students since the sponsor has indicated inability to continue with their commitment. Secondly, 65 of the said students have now been offered places in our local universities under the Joint Admissions Board. They, therefore, have an option to come back here and take up those places. In case they do so, they will benefit from the Higher

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the Minister for the answer. However, you realize that when these students left this country, they were going to study. All they expected and even their parents expected that they would come back having got their degrees; now we want them to come back. The Minister says they have written to Treasury seeking financial support, why can the Government not make arrangements for them to continue studying there, as you pay for them?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would very much like to do so. However, there is the question of funding. The Ministry does not have a fund that we can delve into to sort out a problem like this. These students intended to get their degrees. We very much appreciate so and we hope they can get those degrees. As I said, in the meantime, we will continue to explore ways and means of solving the problem. If the hon. Member has an idea of where we can get funding today, we would do so. We are working very hard and that is why I have addressed my letter to the Minister for Finance, copied to the Prime Minister and the Office of the President to seek their intervention, so that the Treasury may be able to find some funding. What I can do beyond that, I wish to be informed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to thank the Minister for the answer that she has given us. One of the students who went to Russia on the understanding that there will be full accommodation and payment for tuition is from Garsen Constituency. The students were promised a lot of things. They were all from very poor families. Universal Education Trust Fund started with very good intentions. The students were taken to Russia and we expected them back with degrees as doctors. What will the Minister do to avoid hardship to students? What rules are there to ensure that people who come up with very good schemes and take our students on the understanding that they will be taken care of, then these students are stranded--- She says she will look for money. What measures will she take to protect our students in future, so that they are not exposed to this again? Some of them are girls.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, that concern is stronger with me than most people. I would like to inform Mr. Mungatana that as a matter of fact I have met with the officials of this Trust. Their intentions were very good. However, in this country, we do not have a law to stop a student from accepting a scholarship. Their intentions were very noble. They intended to see these students through. Once they realized that they were unable to see them through due to the current economic problems, either here or outside-- - Indeed, they came through the front door; that is the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. I met with them. For hours, we tried to explore ways and means of getting any funding for them to continue with the programme, especially as their businesses appeared to have suffered. We were unable to go any further than just discussing with them. This is why from the Government’s point of view, I undertook to try and look for funding. In trying to get these offers at the University of Nairobi, it was in case the worst came to the worst, then they would have a place to get their education and not fall through the net altogether and be ignored.

Hon. Members will notice I have not said that it is not our responsibility because we did not send them. It is our responsibility because these are our children. When they were offered the scholarships we were satisfied that these scholarships were genuine, and

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to thank the Minister for the very good action she has taken in terms of guaranteeing the students places locally, if they do come back. However, as much as we appreciate that she has written to the Treasury, the Budget was just read on Thursday, last week. It is easy to tell if there is a likelihood of these students getting any help. There are quite a number of students in foreign universities and the Ministry has been giving them something small. Is it possible that other students who are being given a little amount of money from the Ministry can continue to enjoy the little they get? As a matter of priority, some amount of money should be allocated to help these students you talked about and the others that are already out there due to lack of fees.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I made reference to writing to the Minister for Finance, being well aware that the Budget was read. However, the way the Government finances work, if I understand it, at the beginning of the financial year, there is always a possibility to reallocate. I cannot go further than that without trying to engage the Minister for Finance. As I said, I have put it at the centre of things that have to be sorted out by coping to the political bosses. Our intention in the Ministry is to see whatever we can do, including reallocating whatever we have to these students. For me to stand here and say that this will, therefore, take care of every student outside Kenya would be lie. This is because we are only as good as the finances we have.

Thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the chance you have given me to ask one question. As we thank the Minister for ably answering this Question, I would like her to indicate what measures have been taken by the Ministry against the Universal Education Trust Fund (UETF) not to continue recruiting other students so that they are not put under the current predicament.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I already said the UETF had good intentions. When they found out that they could no longer carry out their mandate, they came to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. We discussed and they gave us evidence as to why they could no longer raise that money. I could therefore, not doubt what they said. It is now possible for us, having seen this, to try in future and avoid similar situations. However, understand that people who sponsor students directly do not come to the Ministry to tell us. These people actually consulted the Ministry of Education, which at that time included the Ministry of Higher Education. They did not do this in the dark. Their intentions were noble and when they could no longer support those students, they came to tell us. That is why we are working very hard to resolve this one issue.

Mr. Nyamai, last question!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the reason the UEFT cannot continue sponsoring these students is the economic melt down. Could the Minister confirm whether there are other organizations which have sponsored students and are going through the same problems? I believe this is not the only sponsor we have in the country.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member may have better information than I have. I can only deal with the information that lands on my desk. What has landed on my desk is this particular Trust Fund. I am aware that there are students who are constantly sponsored. I was sponsored privately myself. However, as for any problems they might have, they have not come to us. Nobody has come to complain to us at the moment. Therefore, I do not want to anticipate, but when they show up, we will know how to handle it.

Next Question!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask the Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security the following Question by Private Notice. (a) Under what circumstances did police at Makongeni Police Station shoot to death Mr. James Njuguna Gachau on 21st May, 2009? (b) Could the Minister provide an update on the investigations into the killing, the identity of the killer(s) and when the killer(s) will be arrested and charged in court?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) Mr. James Njuguna Gachau, was gunned down during an exchange of fire involving the police and the gangsters within Makongeni Estate. The deceased was driving a vehicle with no registration number in the company of other notorious criminals who defied police signal to stop when they were intercepted. (b)The Inquest File No.B/2009 was opened following the shooting and the same will be forwarded to the Attorney-General for perusal and advice, once investigations are complete.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the Assistant Minister for trying to answer this Question. However, what he has given is just a short meandering answer which is not correct. Am I in order to say the Assistant Minister is lying to this House? This gentleman is an innocent person who earns his living by driving a taxi. He drove to Makongeni and he was shot six times by a police officer. If he claims the gentleman was a criminal, how comes the bullets entered through the forehead and not the back? If someone is running away, the bullets would definitely enter through the back. However, all these bullets entered through the forehead of this gentleman.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think the hon. Member might not be privy to the information we have. Let me just give him the background of what happened. On the 21st May, 2009 at about 7.00 p.m. the deceased, James Njuguna Gachau, in the company of one George Ogola alias Bibo or Obobo, attended a funeral committee meeting for a known gangster by the name Vietnam which was taking place within Makongeni Estate Block 2, Door 62. The meeting ended at around 8.00 p.m. The deceased left the funeral meeting driving an unregistered motor vehicle chassis No.WHR69E9001779, Isuzu Van which was white in colour. He was accompanied by other mourners, amongst them George Ogola, whom I have mentioned.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Whatever the Assistant Minister is producing here has nothing to do with the late Mr. Njuguna. He cannot come here and tell us a totally different story.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have had an opportunity to look at the postmortem report in this particular case mainly because the deceased was a brother of a medical colleague of mine. I am surprised that when you look at the points of entry and exit of the bullets, it is clear that this person was on his knees when he was being shot. At the same time, I am aware the doctor who did the postmortem recovered the bullets. If the bullet was recovered, it means it was taken to the ballistic experts and they are able to identify the gun that was used to shoot this young man. Why have you not arrested that officer? Secondly, why did that officer have to shoot a youth who was already on his knees trying to beg for mercy?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, investigations are still ongoing. We have very good leads. We will definitely zero in on the person who killed this particular person.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. You heard the hon. Assistant Minister say that the police have closed their file and recommended to the Attorney-General to take action. He cannot come to the House and tell us that the matter is still under investigations.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the reason why we are still waiting for the Attorney-General to give us the way forward is because under normal circumstances, in cases like this one, investigations continue and after investigations are through, we take the file to the Attorney-General for further instructions.

Are you satisfied, Dr. Nuh?

Yes.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Inquest File No.3/2009 was opened following the shooting and the same is supposed to be forwarded to the Attorney-General for advice once investigations are over. That is what I said.

Yes, hon. Member for Ainamoi!

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. The Assistant Minister has said that the deceased was a suspect. Could he quote the section of our law that gives the police power to shoot suspects?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, once the police stopped this unregistered vehicle, the driver refused to stop. Instead they started shooting the police officers and the driver was shot dead during the exchange of fire.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I have asked the Assistant Minister to quote the section of the law that gives the police power to shoot suspects.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, any criminal who is stopped by the police and disregards the police signal and instead starts firing at the police officers--- There is nothing police officers could have done except to return fire. I have told my colleagues that police officers are also human beings.

At what point did he become a criminal?

Hon. J.Maina Kamau, the House is run on the basis of rules. This is the National Assembly of Kenya. You have to catch the Speaker’s eye before you contribute.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. The Assistant Minister is not being fair to the family of the deceased and to this House. He is telling us in his initial response that the reason why police opened gun fire is because the youths were shouting at them. He is now telling us that they were shooting in self-defence. Is he in order to mislead us?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I said, categorically that when the police signaled these people to stop, they refused. Instead they started firing at the police. That particular van was also carrying some of the known criminals and I have even given evidence. What else do you want me to do?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am not surprised by the answer that has been given by the Assistant Minister because what I am hearing from him is the usual answer that is given by the police, that someone was running away while they were armed. This gentleman was not armed. I do not know why it was necessary to pump bullets into a defenseless person instead of arresting him and taking him to a police station, which was just 10 meters away. Could he give us the true story?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, he is right that this is the usual story that we give because we also meet these usual incidences! He is very right.

Next Question, Mr. Ombui!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask the Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security the following Question by Private Notice.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) Mr. Samson Nyanumba Mincha was shot under unclear circumstances on 22nd May, 2009, at about 6.45 p.m. by four unknown assailants who were in civilian clothes. Three of them were armed with pistols while walking along Tom Mboya Street-Latema Junction. That is next to Odeon Cinema. The assailants disappeared after the shooting. The deceased was shot with a single bullet on the forehead. (b) The deceased was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital by two good samaritans namely; Mrs. Ashley Mutinda of P.O. Box 6586-00100 Nairobi, and another lady by the name Kate at about 6.50 p.m., where he was confirmed dead on arrival. The hospital staff then moved the body to the hospital mortuary. The incidence was booked at the Central Police Station occurrence book No.128 of 22nd May, 2009 by a police officer; Pc Oremo Ombui attached to Traffic Police Department, Kabete No.35281 at 9.30 p.m. The officer claimed that he was informed through phone by a Mr. Ben Mobisa. (c) The police commenced investigations immediately and thereafter and an inquest file was opened to that effect; Ref.CID Central No.5/2009. Several witnesses have recorded statements but so far no one has been arrested in connection with the killing and investigations are still going on. Thank you.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I take this time to thank the Assistant Minister for the answer he has given although he is trying to imply that the late was looked after by the relatives. How many suspects have been arrested and arraigned in court because he has clearly indicated that they were four and three had pistols?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I said that we are zeroing in on four suspects and we have very good leads. Sooner or later, I will update the Questioner on how many suspects have so far been arrested.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Assistant Minister is not very clear on this issue. On this particular day, there was a fracas in town between police officers and the hawkers. It is during this time that this young man was killed. Could the Assistant Minister tell us how he got to know that there were four assailants and why they have not been arrested?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, once investigations are being carried, we get very good leads as I had mentioned. I believe those four will be arrested. Within two weeks or so, we will definitely zero in on those who killed this young man.

Next Question, Mr. Lessonet!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask the Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security the following Question by Private Notice. (a) Under what circumstances was a man hacked to death near Makutano area along Nakuru-Eldoret Highway in Koibatek District and later another slashed on the face in the forest near Makutano area on or around 5th June, 2009, respectively? (b) Why have the police not arrested the culprits? (c) What measures is the Minister taking to ensure that events similar to the post-election violence do not recur?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) On 5th June, 2009, at about 11.50 p.m., within Blue Farm, a resident by the name Kagwe Kang’ethe, aged 60 years, was in his house when he heard some movements outside the house. He went to find out what was happening. When he opened the door he saw somebody running away. He challenged him to stop but he did not do so. He raised the alarm and neighbours responded immediately. The suspect took refuge in the home of Anne Wanjiku where the mob caught up with him. When he was unable to explain his mission in the area, he was beaten to death by the mob. The matter was reported to the police and investigations commenced. The body is lying at the Nakuru Mortuary, awaiting postmortem and identification. Police Inquest File No.9/09 was opened and the same will be forwarded to the Attorney-General for perusal and advice once investigations are complete. Again, on 8th June, 2009, at about 5 p.m., Mr. John Wanjihia, aged 58 years was sourcing for fencing posts for his homestead in a forest within Blue Area when he was confronted by a group of eight men who ordered him to leave the forest immediately. The men were strangers to him and in the process he was hit twice with a rungu on the forehead and at the back. He was treated at Eldama Ravine District Hospital and subsequently discharged. The matter was reported at the police station and Police Criminal Case File No.871/130/09 was opened. The case is under investigation. (b) In the first incident, the body of the deceased is still lying at the Nakuru Mortuary awaiting postmortem and identification. The deceased’s fingerprints have been forwarded to the National Registration Bureau for identification. Once investigations are complete, the file will be forwarded to the Attorney-General for advice. However, any person suspected to have been involved in this crime will be charged accordingly. Regarding the second attack, Police Criminal Case File No.871/130/09 - face assault, was opened. Once the culprits are traced and arrested they will be charged accordingly. (c) These are isolated incidents which are not related to post-election violence at all. However, security has been beefed up with increased mobile and foot patrols on a 24- hour-basis within that area.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am really surprised by the kind of answer the Assistant Minister has brought to this House. When you look at the face value of his answer you will very well appreciate that he actually knows the perpetrators of the two incidents. According to the Assistant Minister’s answer, he actually knows those who carried out the murder. Likewise, he knows those that attacked the other man in the

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would be very glad to get the information from the Questioner, in order for us to speed up investigations and arrest the suspects straight away. I request him to whisper to me just the names of the culprits and I will arrest them immediately. I am a very serious Assistant Minister. I will arrest them immediately.

Last question, Mr. Lessonet!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Assistant Minister has indicated to us the man who was murdered took refuge in the home of Anne Wanjiku, who purportedly alerted a mob which killed him. I am still surprised because this did not happen in Tom Mboya Street, but a farm where people know almost everybody living within 100 kilometers. Did the police record a statement from Anne Wanjiku? She should have told the police the people who killed the man. On part “b” of the Question, is it not a fact that the only people who can order you out of a forest are forest guards? Therefore, is it not possible that the forest guards were the ones who attacked the second man? On part “c” of the Question, there is no way the Assistant Minister can call murder an “isolated case”. Somebody has died and yet, the Assistant Minister is calling it an “isolated case”. How many must die so that he can be more serious?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, first of all, I said that it is an isolated case, because it is just one out of very many cases which have been happening. However, it is quite unfortunate that it was a murder case. I plead with my colleague that once we leave the Chamber, he whispers to me the names of the culprits, so that I can order for their arrest immediately. This is because we do not know the mission of the killing to date.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. There is no way the Assistant Minister can expect me to whisper to him what he is supposed to do. From his answer, he knows those who committed the murder. Why has he not made arrests?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, maybe the hon. Member is talking about a different answer or we are not reading from the same script. I have said that investigations are on-going. That is why I have requested him to also whisper to me the names of the suspects so that I can confirm whether that the police officers have are in tandem with what he has. I will try and assist the hon. Member.

Order, hon. Members! Today we have the Committee of Ways and Means which should start not later than 3.30 p.m. and we still have a Ministerial Statement to be sought. Under the circumstances, Question No.204, by Mr. Baiya; Question No.013, by hon. Dr. Otichilo; Question No.064, by Dr. Kones; Question No.174 by Mr. Kioni; Question No.211, by Mr. Were and Question No.225, by Dr. Monda should appear on the Order Paper tomorrow morning and in the afternoon.

Hon. Members, Mr. Lekuton would like to seek a Ministerial Statement. Proceed Mr. Lekuton!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to seek a Ministerial Statement from the Ministry of State for Defence. Over the weekend, a 15 year-old-boy in Samburu Playground died as a result of a bomb explosion. The fatal bomb is suspected to be lying for many years underneath a field in an area used by the Kenyan and British military due to our mutual bi-lateral agreement. I would like the Minister to make some clarifications. First, what are the exact co- ordinates of the training areas in Samburu? This is because we believe that the military has gone beyond the gazetted land to train. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, secondly, given that it is the responsibility of the Government to clear training grounds of unexploded ordinance after such training sessions, why has the military or the Government taken too long to clear off these areas which continue to cause loss to innocent Samburus? Thirdly, when will the Government clearly demarcate or zone Samburu military training areas between the foreign and Kenyan military, so that each military force is allocated a designated zone and can, therefore, be held fully responsible during a bomb explosion? What is the identification of military ordinance to differentiate between the Kenya Army and the British Army during the exercise? What intervention has the Government put in place to ensure that the danger zones which have not been cleared are clearly marked and recorded and the locals are fully informed of the potential dangers of the unexploded ordinance? Lastly, who is to be held responsible and what is the standard compensation for such bomb explosion to those victims?

Minister, could you give an undertaking on when you will have that Ministerial Statement ready?

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I would like to give an undertaking that I will deliver the statement on Thursday, next week.

Are you happy with that, hon. Member? Thursday, next week, is when the Assistant Minister has given as an undertaking.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, could he not give it earlier than that? Could he do so on Thursday, this week? It is important that we know what is happening, especially after a child has lost his life.

Hon. Assistant Minister, these are the lives of Kenyans involved. So, could you give a date earlier than that?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we realize that this is a very serious matter. We have to send our officers on the ground to verify the allegation by the hon. Member. I think Thursday, next week is most appropriately.

So ordered! Order, hon. Baiya. There is a Ministerial Statement that had been sought by hon. Baiya from the Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs on Somali Piracy on the Kenyan Coast. The concerned Ministry did, indeed, write to Parliament to say that this matter should be

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Standing Orders provide clearly that if we have cross-cutting issues, then it is the Prime Minister’s Office to respond to those issues.

Indeed, it is the opinion of the Chair that this Ministerial Statement be directed to the Attorney-General's Chambers because it involves the courts and prosecutions.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I do not wish to challenge your ruling, but it is also the case that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has done some negotiations. I do not know whether they have signed some memorandum of understanding which I asked them to table. If the Attorney-General can do so, then, I have no problem.

The Prime Minister’s office would only respond on matters that are cross-cutting and that are purely policy. Not specifics or in the execution of the Ministerial functions. Could the Government give an undertaking on this and which Ministry, for that matter is responsible? Is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented here today in the House? Could a Government Minister give an undertaking on this matter?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we will definitely go as per the Chair’s ruling. If the Chair directs that this Ministerial Statement goes to the Attorney- General, we will definitely ask him to respond to it. If the Chair decides that this issue be directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I do undertake to remind the Minister to come and reply to it.

The presumptions of courts are disposing of justice in their own opinion. This is why the Government is supposed to have a collective responsibility. One Minister should be able to answer this.

So, the Chair directs that the Attorney-General answers this. When will the Ministerial Statement be made available in the House?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we will definitely prevail upon the Attorney-General to come and give a Ministerial Statement by Thursday, next week.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. What you have asked the hon. Assistant Minister to do is to undertake. What he is doing is to prevail upon the Attorney-General. Could he understand that these are two different words? Are you undertaking or not undertaking?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it true. I am undertaking to ask the Attorney-General to give a Ministerial Statement.

But Thursday next week is to far, hon. Assistant Minister, because this matter has been in Parliament’s domain for a long time.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. On that score, I want to indicate that the Ministerial Statement has been pending since 6th of May, 2009. This is a long time. They have had more than adequate notice to respond.

Hon. Assistant Minister, the Chair directs that you have this Ministerial Statement available in the House on Thursday, this week.

Most obliged, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Hon. Mungatana, I know there is a Ministerial Statement that you sought from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government. Today is the 1st Allotted Day of the Committee of Ways and Means. It is exactly 3.30 p.m.. If you look at our Order Papers, it states: “Not later than 3.30 p.m.”

Consequently, the Chair directs that this Ministerial Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government be made available tomorrow morning after Question Time.

Next Order!

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to contribute on this Motion.

From the onset, I support this Motion. I would like to, first of all, congratulate the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for the very excellent way in which he presented his Budget last week to this august House. The Budget was well thought out and balanced. It is a pro-poor Budget. By widening the revenue base without raising any taxes, that is a well done Budget. I am particularly happy about the way the Budget has decentralised the resources. That is what most of us have been calling for. Kenyans have

Order, hon. Members! The Minister needs to listen to the sentiments of the hon. Member contributing. Could you consult in silence?

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance did not just decentralize financial resources to the constituencies but also the personnel. In every section where the constituency is mentioned, he also talks of “this will translate to employing such a number of people in every constituency”. This applies to nurses and teachers. I kindly plead with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and the Minister of State for Public Service to ensure that the employment is also constituency-based and not through the normal PSC programme whereby the 20 nurses or

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Is it in order for Members on the Front Bench to keep the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance so busy that he cannot hear what the hon. Member is contributing?

Order, Maj-Gen. Nkaisserry, Mr. Lesrima and Mr. Nguyai! Do not keep the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance busy. He has to listen to the contributions by hon. Members.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance to offset the loans owed by livestock farmers to the Agriculture Finance Corporation (AFC).

Thank you.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I stand to also support this Motion. I would like to start by congratulating the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for a very well deserved Budget which was presented last week. For the first time in the history of Kenya, the last Budget was what I would consider as a people’s Budget. For the first time, the funds were devolved to the extent that the constituencies are becoming the focal points for development. It is now up to us, hon. Members, to ensure that the people get the development. I think it is really up to us. Like one hon. Member said, these funds could also be our downfall, if we do not manage them properly.

I would like to also ask the Minister in future to look at agriculture a lot more favourably than what he has done in the Budget under discussion. If free fertilizer could be available to most parts of this country, it would improve a lot in agricultural production. This time, although the Ministry of Agriculture through the Ministry of Finance made some fertilizer available, it did not go to all parts of this country. So there are many regions that did not benefit. If this could be looked into in the future, it could change the production of food in this country.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would also like to ask the Minister to look at the taxation, especially personal tax. I still think that Kenya is one of the highest tax paying countries in the world. At the moment, the highest personal taxation is 30 per cent. This is by all means very high. Because of this, many people are doing everything possible to evade paying taxes whereas if the taxes were reduced to, say, 20 per cent, the bracket for compliance would be much higher than what it is at the moment. I support the Minister fully on the issue of the big vehicles that Ministers and Assistant Ministers are using.

These fuel guzzlers should be surrendered and sold with immediate effect. If the Ministers get the smaller vehicles, the saving on fuel and even maintenance would be colossal. The amount saved would go a long way in supporting agriculture and the poor in this country. I strongly believe that the only way that we are going to help a lot more people put food on their table’s is by looking at poverty financing which at the moment is not taken care of at all.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the Minister once again for the Budget which, as I have already said, is a people’s Budget. One very big problem at the moment is that the Government is trying to finance a bloated Cabinet. We have 42 Ministers and almost 90 Assistant Ministers. This is the only country in the world, poor as we are, looking for money to pay for the Ministers and Assistant Ministers, many who have no proper work to do. At the moment, Ministries are overlapping and I am sure the

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to support this important Motion about the Budget for this particular year. This Budget aims to reduce poverty. The Minister was able to go into depth to look at many Government programmes and find ways to make sure that every constituency gets adequate funds to address poverty. I am particularly impressed by the Minister because he was able to come up with innovate ways to address the problems facing our country. For example, he was able to come up with centres of excellence in every constituency. In every constituency now, we are going to have a particular centre that will be equipped with enough computers, internet connections and teachers will dialogue and communicate with each other throughout the country and others outside the country. With the coming of broadband internet connections, these centres of excellence are going to help our students. The Minister came up with excellent programmes dealing with health care facilities. At the moment, we have many health care facilities at the constituencies but they lack medicine and staff. However, I want to thank the Minister for allocating adequate funds to the relevant Ministries to hire medical staff, beginning with nurses so as to address the efficiency in the health centres and staffing deficiencies.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to thank the Minister, and to congratulate him for a job well done.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I listened to the Minister for two hours as he told the country how he intends to finance the Government Budget up to next year. It tells me, therefore, that you do not require a Minister for Finance to be an accountant. You do

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me take this early opportunity to thank you for giving me an opportunity to contribute to this Motion. Since Independence, this country has gone through many problems. These problems are lack of equity, equal opportunities for all communities in this country, security and accountability. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance tried very hard to address the issue of equity. The only way you can effectively address this problem in this country is to base everything on the constituencies. The Minister tried as much as he could to ensure that we control as much money as possible at the constituency level.

These four issues, and somebody should correct me if I am wrong, are a major contribution to what happened in this country after the 2007 General Elections. If all the Ministers addressed the four issues, including unemployment and others that made Kenyans turn against each other, we will possibly start seeing a brighter future for our country. We would like the Minister for Finance, together with his officers, to host a seminar for Members of Parliament so that they can explain how the funds will be

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to also contribute to this very important Motion. I would like to commend the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for a wonderful citizen-friendly Budget. For very many years, this country has been expecting a Budget of this nature. However, this Budget can only benefit this country if it is implemented. In this regard, I would like to urge the Minister to ensure that his Budget proposals are implemented. Why do I say so?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, Mr. Jirongo was doing very well. Could he keep quiet a little bit?

Order! Order!

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Minister did a wonderful job, first of all, by removing all the wastage in the Government. He has addressed issues of telephone, hospitality, furniture and vehicles. If you heard him speak on that particular day, he said that he consulted the President and the Prime Minister, and they agreed that each Minister should have only one official car of engine capacity not exceeding 1,800 cubic centimeters. However, two days later, we heard some Cabinet Ministers coming out to oppose this very important policy. I would like to request the President and the Prime Minister to follow up the request by the Minister and make sure that this policy is implemented. Any Minister who contravenes Government policy should be fired. Even those official vehicle should be withdrawn. What I want to recommend or request the Minister to do is with regard to the issue of vehicles. We have heard what my friend, Mr. Jirongo, said. He is a businessman. All businessmen think that the prices of these vehicles are going to be lowered. These are very new vehicles, and I recommend that they should be taken to the constituencies to help in the management of projects, now that the Government has allocated enough funds. Mercedes Benz vehicles can be sold but the Four-Wheel-Drive vehicles can be taken to the constituencies to enable the Government monitor constituency projects. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to commend the Minster for allocating resources for the Port of Mombasa and the railway line. As Mr. Jirongo said, we need to open up our country by opening our ports and borders. The amount of tourism and trade that this country will be getting through Southern Ethiopia is of paramount importance. If we open the Port of Lamu and the railway line all the way to Moyale, this country will benefit a great deal. The Minister also took care of rural electrification. You cannot develop a country without energy but we want to do away with corruption at the very top level. We want all the money meant for rural electrification to be channeled, like all other funds that have been devolved, through the constituencies. That way, we can get this country moving.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to support this very important Motion.

The impression created in some quarters is that we are devolving corruption. I doubt if that is true. We must start from somewhere. The more money we give to the constituencies, the more we fight corruption in this country.

I believe that we are better off with 222 people being in charge of these funds than one person. I believe it is much better that MPs are in charge of what is going on in their constituencies. After all, there is accountability. Elections are held every five years. Some people believe this is one way of us putting a rope around our necks because, at the end of the day, they will ask for accountability. To me, that is the best way because we will be more accountable to Kenyans.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to support the work that the Minister did. When we were yearning for a new Constitution and reforms, we were actually talking about devolution. Everybody was complaining that money is being controlled from one place and it goes to one part of the country only. Today, the Minister has come and proved that what we are looking for is achievable, judging by the way he presented the Budget.

Many hon. Members here are saying that the Minister must ensure this money is spent this way and that way. I do not think that is his responsibility. It is our responsibility to ensure this money is well-spent. We must support the Minister in ensuring that this money goes to good use.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have been talking about bringing services closer to the people. For example, somebody comes from Lamu and he is a District Commissioner in Busia. He will most likely stay there, for one or two years, then he goes away. This is the person who comes there and controls things as if he knows the complexities of the problems in the place. It is fair that by bringing services closer to the people, we also bring the resources through the elected Members of Parliament.

I would like to urge the Government, through the Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030, to elevate the role played by the locational committees. We have got committees of the CDF which are paid a percentage of sitting allowance because of the information they gather from the grassroots level. We cannot continue using these CDF committee members because they are only 15. We cannot source all that information from every location. So we have been using locational committees and, to some extent, sub-location committees.

It is said that MPs are earning a lot of money, but these committee members cannot do this work for free. That is one way of encouraging corruption. These committees should be recognized. We should give them a token of appreciation, so that it is easier for them to give us information. I had a problem with my bursary committee members because they were not giving me information on the needy cases. They were asking parents to give them some money in order for them to include their children on the list of the needy cases. This is because they were not receiving any payment. I think we should recognize them. We should move full blast. It is good that the Minister has set the trend. I know some people were saying that he was actually doing a campaign. We must be bold enough to take these kinds of actions.

Thank you Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the Budget Speech. First, I would like to congratulate the Minister for Finance for walking the talk. For five years, he was giving us the alternative Budget as the Leader of the Official Opposition. He always said that we should be devolving funds. Now that he was given the opportunity, I am glad he did not act like a regular politician by walking the talk and devolving the funds. The Grand Coalition Government has been described as a Government of technocrats assisted by politicians. Governments are supposed to be governments of politicians assisted by technocrats. The Prime Minister and Minister for Finance has moved the power base from the technocrats deciding how the Budget should look like, allocated and reallocated. The move to devolve funds has its challenges in that people in the Ministry of Roads or the Ministry of Education, for example, had to wait for May to do infrastructure development. They had to sit at a Permanent Secretary’s office to get Kshs200,000 cheque for a primary school. That, however, has been shifted by this Budget. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to congratulate the Minister for taking the bull by the horns and ensuring that through the Budget, he has shifted the focus from the technocrats in the different Ministries, who are the Government unto themselves, to constituencies. Whereas we rejoice that this Budget has drawn some equity and all constituencies will get equal amounts of resources; we must be weary of the challenges ahead. This is a double edged sword. We do not have sufficient capacities in our constituencies to manage some of the programmes. We have to create a better relationship with the technocrats at the grassroots level so that we are able to achieve that. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is the beginning of us having budgets that are simply rubber stamped by this House. The Fiscal Analysis Bill was passed in this House and as you all know, this is the last Budget whose content we will be hearing about during its reading. The Fiscal Analysis Act is going to allow us to go through these processes where we could do allocations and reallocations. I wish to urge hon. Members to note that our responsibility now could be less criticism and eulogizing or complaining about what the technocrats have put in the Budget and making better contributions to the Budget. On the budget allocated to reforms, I believe that the Kshs2 billion that was mentioned is definitely not sufficient. For us to stir development, we must be able to have a better security system and a better Judicial system. Whereas funding to the Judiciary was increased, that does not solve the problem because the problem in the judiciary and police force is not the money that goes there. It is about the fact that those institutions are dead in terms of the needs that we have as a nation.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this Motion. On the onset, I would like to start by thanking the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for crafting a Budget that gives Kenyans hope. It also made us know that it was not all lost, despite the negative information we get through the media about the state of our economy and the financial state of our country. I would like to start by saying that this Budget proved to us that there is a lot of money in this country, if only it is channelled to the right places. This Budget dealt with the issue of devolution as a way of dealing with inequity and inequalities across regions and constituencies. Through this, it is clear to all of us that even before we get to a point where we need to come up with a new constitution, devolution is the way to go. We do not need to get to a point where we need to have a law that strictly talks about devolution. The Minister has gone ahead of all of us in terms of actualizing the concept of devolution as the way to empower Kenyans and build Kenya. I hope as Members of Parliament, we will not hear again about the pros or cons of devolution and people saying that it is not the right way. I think this Budget has proved that short of devolution, Kenya may never grow. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance dealt at length with many issues. However I want to concentrate on one issue that I thought this Budget did. This Budget came up with a big opportunity for the young people at grassroots level. Why do I say so? If you look at how much money is going to the constituencies through the CDF and the issue of building Jua Kali sheds and making sure they are equipped, and the money that was going through the District Roads Committees that will now go to the Constituencies Development Committees, and the issue of the nurses and the teachers

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to support the Budget Speech, as read by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance last week.

Mr. Lesrima): Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I begin by congratulating the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for this revolutionary and unique Budget. It is revolutionary in the sense that it puts a lot of emphasis on control of resources in the hands of our people. The Prime Minister of India, in 1990, was heard to say that if only 20 per cent of the Budget can reach the people of India, he would be a very happy man. The reason was because of the level of corruption in India to the extent that leakages were less than 15 per cent budgetary resources reach the people. So, what was the solution? The solution was to involve Members of Parliament in a supervisory role for the resource management

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to congratulate the Deputy Prime and Minister for Finance for a revolutionary Budget. I think we have had 45 annual Budgets since we gained our Independence in 1963, but for people of North Horr, whom I represent in this august House, this is the only Budget that would have meaning for them. It is the only Budget which they can associate with and see tangible gains for them. Today, as they sit under acacia trees in northern Kenya, they will be talking about model schools that they are going to build for their children next year. They will be talking about the only health centre, worth Kshs20 million that they are going to build in North Horr. They will be talking about 20 nurses and 50 teachers that they are

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this Motion. I want to join my colleagues who have spoken before me in congratulating the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for presenting to Kenyans a Budget that to the extreme has devolved Government revenue down to the grassroots. I say this because this is the first time that we, who represent areas that have always been marginally under-represented, feel that we have been equitably allocated resources alongside all the other areas that have always been benefiting from Government revenue which is generated from every single Kenyan. In fact, as my colleagues have said, it also lays the foundation for the devolution that we envisage would be coming once the Constitution is revised. The biggest responsibility for hon. Members is oversight, not only for national level issues but also implementation of Government projects at the constituency level. The devolution of resources down to constituencies will enable us to execute the oversight responsibility on how these funds will be utilized so that they can benefit mwananchi. Of course, we will be bringing the feedback here and also share with colleagues in the Government.

Secondly, I know that there have always been about 14 devolved funds which are managed differently and I can see from this Budget that more of the funds have been devolved I think there is need to harmonize all these funds so that, at least, we can also cut down the administrative costs. I guess that is an area which the Minister has to look into. All these devolved funds will have an administrative cost and as such the Minister needs to find ways of putting them under one framework so that we can cut down on the administrative costs. If this is done, then it could be a very big area that will contribute towards reducing wastage that we realize has been existing. In addition to that, I think it is also important to re-look at the cost of monitoring and the administrative cost for managing the implementation of some of these projects, particularly those falling under the CDF. I know we have had an allocation of 3 per cent going towards administration, monitoring and evaluation which has always been very inadequate. This is not enough to enable the staff working in the constituencies to make sure these projects are implemented on time and effectively. If the Minister can see whether this can be enhanced, we will appreciate.

I would also like to advise the Minister that although funds are being devolved, we have fears that a bigger percentage of these funds could be brought towards the end of the financial year, which means that constituencies may not have the capacity to implement projects within two or three weeks. But if we can develop together a quarterly basis of disbursing and monitoring those funds, I think it can easily help much more on the ground. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, an amount of Kshs2.2 billion has been allocated to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and that is laudable. But I wonder why that money has been allocated only to post-election IDPs in Uasin Gishu and Molo

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this Motion. First, I want to start by thanking the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for the manner in which he presented this Budget, and the bold attempt that he has made, at least, to depart from the old traditional way of doing things. I also wish to acknowledge and accept the context that was set out by the Minister regarding the background upon which he presented the proposals.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the first time, the Minister was very candid in explaining the economic crisis and the way it is affecting Kenya and the Kenyan economy. The world economy is in a crisis and that the world economic growth is expected, for a long time, to decline. That it is not only going to affect developed countries, but also the developing ones like Kenya. The proposals that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance expounded reflected a bold attempt to address the challenges and problems we are confronted with as a country. It is true that the problems confronting Kenyans are enormous. For instance, the problem of unemployment was above 50 per cent. We are told by the recent surveys that the situation has improved. However, that improvement only put it at 46 per cent of the total work force. Our situation is incomparable to that in other countries that are said to be experiencing problems similar to ours. Those countries have unemployment rates of between 10 per cent and 16 per cent while ours is over 45 per cent. That presents an extremely deteriorated situation. If this situation is to be looked at clearly, it is incompatible with stability and tranquility in our country. That is why bold actions have always been necessary to redress this situation.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to devolution of resources, I would like to join my colleagues in congratulating the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for attempting, for the first time in many years, to ensure that extra efforts are made to ensure that these resources reach the grassroot. He pointed out the challenges that we have within the central allocation system. My colleagues have also touched on this issue. It is a problem which I have experienced directly in my role as a Member of Parliament. It has been stated quite clearly by others who have spoken before me that the proportion of resources being allocated by the Central Government that reach the grassroot or the targeted number of people is unacceptably low. At a time when we are faced with an economic crisis like this, it is extremely important that stern measures

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to support the Budget Speech. It is interesting to hear hon. Members talk about devolution and yet, in the last Parliament, “devolution” was the most controversial word. It was a very contentious issue. That is why the Bomas Draft failed. That is why the Draft for the constitution failed during the referendum. Now devolution has come back. I do not know whether it came through the back door or the front door but I congratulate the Minister, because he has done what Kenyans have always longed for. It is unfortunate that he is not here to listen to hon. Members’ contribution. Even his Assistant Minister is not here. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, devolution of resources is the most modern initiative in development. This is done across the world today. Many countries – both developed and developing – are doing this. We are a little late. I congratulate the Minister for doing that. He has devolved the resources. What is left is just devolving the governance. That is a great achievement for this country. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance said that Cabinet Ministers, Assistant Ministers and senior civil servants are wasting Government money by using vehicles which have big engine capacity. It may be so, but I think he did not consider the conditions in rural areas. I do not know how a small saloon car can go through muddy conditions if a senior public officer is required to go to the rural areas. Maybe, the Minister has the picture of the City of Nairobi and neighbourhood of Kiambu, where the roads are good. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the education sector, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance did a good job. It is now six years since the Government started funding the Free Primary Education (FPE), and one-and-half years with the secondary education support programmes. One of the problems that we have is quality in terms of the delivery of the curriculum. This is mainly due to lack of personnel. We do not have enough teachers across the country. Even the officers that supervise teachers are not enough in this country. The Government has given quite a bit of money to this sector through three education funds but the most important thing that is yet to be done is improving on staffing. The Minister has made a move towards addressing that problem although I have heard the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) oppose

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this chance to contribute to this Motion. I want to add my voice and support our Minister for the good budget that he gave us. I want to thank him because we have talked about devolution. He has taken a step towards the right direction.

Much has been given to the constituency, but we wish good guidelines will be set so that the mwananchi down there does not think that the whole amount has come to the CDF kitty. It is good if it is well analyzed, so that we know what is coming through the line Ministries and what is coming directly into the CDF kitty.

I also want to ask the Ministries that will be given these devolved funds to involve the CDF committees and District Development Committees (DDCs), so that we can have a say in the devolution of the funds. The Minister also gave a budget of Kshs 44 billion to the Department of Defence. When it comes to internal security which is an equally very important arm of the Government, the funds were reduced which actually affects the state of security. I am not saying that we do not have external forces which are a threat, but internally, we are more threatened than externally. So, I wish he would have given a lot of money to internal security, so that we enhance our security internally. He also added some money to Rural Electrification Programme (REP). I do not think the Ministry of Energy was given enough funds. I thought that by the year 2010, all public schools, public health centres and commercial centres in our constituencies should have electricity, so that we can develop our country. So, I wish that in the next Budget, he could at least add something to the Ministry of Energy. He should also look into alternative sources of energy. It should be well-funded. Research should be done so that we can start using solar energy and wind energy rather than just depending on hydro-electricity. We know very well that our water levels are very low.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, when it comes to agriculture, I think it is high time we did radical changes. We have seen a country like Malawi which has really done well. It is now self-sufficient and able to export more than it is producing because it took radical changes. We are a signatory to the Maputo Declaration which requires that we should have 10 per cent of our budget going towards agriculture, but unfortunately, our budget for agriculture is far much below. Wanting to be a self-sufficient country agriculturally, we need to increase the funds that we allocate to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Funds should also have been devolved in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation like other Ministries, so that we have dams, water pans and irrigation schemes in our constituencies well funded and we can start implementing all these good ideas that we have, but we lack funds. I am happy with the allocation to the Ministry of Education. We have been talking about free primary and free secondary education. However, as you realize, the quality of our education has been very wanting. I want to congratulate the Minister because

Thank you Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity to contribute on the Motion. I have to thank the Minister so much for the Budget which he read last week. The Budget is very okay. It is a balanced Budget which cuts across all the Ministries. It also tried to devolve resources to various areas or the constituencies. This will ensure development is initiated, monitored and supervised by the people who initiate it. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have actually seen some progress since the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) was initiated. The devolved fund which was initiated by the introduction of the CDF has done a lot of development in our constituencies. Wastage in CDF projects is very minimal compared to those projects supported or initiated by the Central Government. This is because the supervision in CDF initiated projects is very close. People get more concerned and whenever they see a project started, they will come closer to check exactly what is happening. They will be interested to know the exact amount allocated to the project and it will be managed well compared to the money that is channelled through the line Ministries. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, you will agree with me that Kenya is a rich country that has a lot of potential and resources that if tapped well, this country would be better than any other in the world. The countries which got their Independence almost the same time with Kenya, most of them are now developed. However, Kenya is still a developing country. Why? This is purely because of corruption. For us to develop more

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to make my contribution on this Budget.

Order, Minister! Mr. Githae, you will have two minutes next time the debate resumes.

Hon. Members, it is now time for interruption of the business of the House. The House, therefore, stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, 17th June, 2009 at 9.00 a.m.

The House rose at 6.30 p.m.