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{
"id": 1549652,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1549652/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Sifuna",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13599,
"legal_name": "Sifuna Edwin Watenya",
"slug": "sifuna-edwin-watenya"
},
"content": "We addressed the question of compensation for affected victims. As stated in paragraph 18 on page 12, affected victims should be compensated through the National Disaster Management Unit, whose main function is to administer a comprehensive emergency disaster program. This program is carried out in collaboration with stakeholders, including Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), with the aim of saving lives and protecting property. We have tabled this comprehensive summary of the committee's findings, observations, and recommendations. On behalf of the Committee, we thank the various stakeholders who appeared before us and shared their views. These include the Cabinet Secretaries, National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), EPRA, Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA), the Energy Dealers Association and the Governor of Nairobi City County. We hope that they will give serious consideration to the recommendations put forward by this Committee."
},
{
"id": 1549653,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1549653/?format=api",
"text_counter": 369,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Sifuna",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13599,
"legal_name": "Sifuna Edwin Watenya",
"slug": "sifuna-edwin-watenya"
},
"content": "I wish to acknowledge the 11 lives lost in the tragedy, as well as the many individuals who were injured, displaced or suffered losses due to the damage inflicted on their homes and businesses. This devastating event left a profound impact on our country, and our hearts go out to all those affected. As the responsible Committee, we have committed to ensuring that the relevant regulatory bodies implement stricter safety protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Finally, I wish to thank the Offices of the Speaker and the Clerk of the Senate for their support throughout the process of deliberating on this matter. It is now my pleasant duty to move this Motion. In the absence of a Member of the Energy Committee, I kindly request the Senate Majority Leader to second the Motion. I thank you."
},
{
"id": 1549654,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1549654/?format=api",
"text_counter": 370,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wakili Sigei",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Senate Majority Leader, please proceed to second the Motion."
},
{
"id": 1549655,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1549655/?format=api",
"text_counter": 371,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
"slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
},
"content": " Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to second this Report on the inquiry into the LPG explosion in the Mradi area, Embakasi. Embakasi is where I grew up, and whenever such disasters occur, it reminds me that despite my current position of privilege, it may as well have been--- I do not want to conclude whatever I wanted to say. This is a sad affair. We must appreciate the Senate's Standing Committee on Energy for dedicating their time to look into this matter and for ensuring that a report is filed, which I hope can be fully implemented. Sen. Sifuna, there has been this debate in the House about whether to have an implementation committee or not. I have always maintained the position that we should not have an implementation committee because there is nobody better prepared for a particular matter other than the relevant committee which looked into it. Sen. Sifuna, as you know, there has been an ongoing debate in the House regarding the establishment of an implementation committee. I have consistently maintained the position that we do not need such a committee. This is because no entity would be better equipped to handle a specific matter than the relevant committee that originally undertook the inquiry into that particular issue. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1549656,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1549656/?format=api",
"text_counter": 372,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
"slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
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"content": "I hope that during the course of your deliberations as a Committee, you will take the initiative a few months from now to follow up with the state agencies tasked with implementing these proposals. This will ensure that the necessary actions are carried out as intended. I have noted the recommendations for the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), as well as the specific actions required of EPRA and other entities. These include ensuring that those found responsible are charged and brought to book. One of the challenges we continue to face as a country—and one I hope we can overcome in the future— is how we can quickly close what you would consider to be an open-shut case. Sen. Sifuna, there is nothing complex about this matter. Somebody was operating an LPG gas storage facility illegally. That individual is known, as the company has identifiable directors. These individuals are responsible for causing death and lifelong injuries to innocent citizens, including my dear friend, Collins Nabiswa, who resides in that proximity. Collins is someone I played football with and attended high school alongside. Today, if you were to meet him, you would hardly recognize the gentleman we once attended the same school. This tragedy has impacted so many other Kenyans, all due to such gross negligence. Why does it take such an inordinate long time? Why are the owners of this company not yet serving time in jail? Why is it - given your legal expertise - that this case must take a long time, appearing before a judge who then assigns mention dates far into the future? We must copy world-established practices, especially those that are worth emulating. You recall, and I have often cited this example, that recently we faced a similar situation. I hope that one day, perhaps when we have the opportunity to meet the Chief Justice, we can address this concern directly. As Houses of Parliament, and as leaders, we would seek to understand what measures can be implemented within our judiciary to expedite the resolution of these cases. I cite the recent example from the United Kingdom (UK), where demonstrations erupted following the tragic deaths of children. Unfortunately, these demonstrations escalated into near chaos, with elements of racial hatred, destruction of property and other criminal activities. Those who were captured on CCTV engaging in acts such as breaking into shops, mugging others or destroying property have, for the most part, been arrested. Many are already serving their sentences. In such cases, a judge reviews the footage, confirms the identity of the accused - be it Aaron Cheruiyot or any other individual - and hears their defence. By the following morning, a verdict is delivered, and they begin serving their time. I do not understand why in Kenya it is extremely impossible to see such kind of things. This is an individual who operated a facility illegally, without any license. Why does it have to take such a long time for justice to be served to the families of those who lost their lives and to those who were injured in this fire? I sincerely hope that, with the passage of this report brought before us, the relevant agencies and State Departments, including the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), will consider a quick conclusion of the trial of those responsible for this tragic incident. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1549657,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1549657/?format=api",
"text_counter": 373,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
"slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
},
"content": "Secondly, on the matter of EPRA, it has become increasingly evident that where responsibilities are shared between EPRA and county governments, there must be strict adherence to the licensing requirements outlined in the Petroleum Act. The Committee observed the need for a comprehensive review and regular updates of the licensing processes to enhance transparency, efficiency and compliance. Unfortunately, in this country, when Parliament enacts laws on licensing procedures, the monitoring units - whether within county governments or institutions like EPRA - often view these processes as opportunities for financial exploitation, treating them as cash cows. I would not be surprised if, on multiple occasions, EPRA officers visited this institution and chose to look the other way, allowing such a tragic incident to occur. It is important to investigate this matter further. I wonder whether it was pursued adequately. The Director General of EPRA, Mr. Daniel Kiptoo, should be asked to provide clarity on this issue. I believe EPRA has divided the country into zones, with specific officers assigned to oversee each zone. It would be important for Mr. Kiptoo to identify which of his officers slept on the job."
},
{
"id": 1549658,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1549658/?format=api",
"text_counter": 374,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
"slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
},
"content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, an LPG storage facility is not a mere tin shack shop. It is big facility that anyone driving along that road would easily notice. Reflecting on the testimonies from when this incident was alive in the country, Citizens Television shared that the facility had been operational for years. People would frequently visit to refill their gas and leave, until this tragic disaster struck. The critical question is what measures EPRA has implemented since the occurrence of this disaster to ensure such incidents never occur again in any part of this country. How have they increased the vigilance and the observance of these stringent procedures that Parliament has passed and ensure that regulations are adhered to. Many times, it is easy to blame Parliament on social media and public talk shows. Parliament is always the easiest to carry the burden when such things happen. The challenges that we continue to face in this country are not because of lack of good laws. We have passed very many good laws. Firstly, it is the implementation that we continue to struggle with. Secondly and most importantly is the first point I spoke about. There are no sanctions against those who violate the regulations. The fact that people are never punished and the fact that it takes too long to make a decision or to even be remorseful--- Let me digress a bit. Many times, we in the political class have witnessed this. There are people who share political parties with us. They could be a governor or Member of Parliament (MP). Some of them could have been found to have pilfered public resources but when they are taken to court, many times you will find us shamelessly walking there and demanding to stand with them and support them. We go to visit them in Industrial Area Prison. In a proper country that is governed by the rule of law, even for somebody who is your closest friend, you maintain what I referred to as a respectable distance. Perhaps you can send them uji and other items from a distance but tell them that whatever they did is not something worth of a leader of their stature. However, we do not feel embarrassed because we have turned this into a political circus. Our citizens have followed in tow to The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1549659,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1549659/?format=api",
"text_counter": 375,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
"slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
},
"content": "ensure that so long as somebody is known to them, they do not mind or care about things that are done. There are many problems that people continue to deal with. It is not due to lack of laws that this country continues to face the challenges. Today we are speaking about LPG. You can pick any topic such as nightclubs operating in residential areas. If you walk in this city, there are nightclubs all over, yet there is a county government and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Many times, you will find that for one reason or the other, people look the other way. The Judiciary is also complicit in this because when the county government shuts many institutions, they go and obtain court orders. Up to when shall we continue coming and crying and saying that this or that needs to be done?"
},
{
"id": 1549660,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1549660/?format=api",
"text_counter": 376,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
"slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
},
"content": "I have realised that many times, it takes even ignoring court orders for people to achieve some of the things that have been achieved in this country because there is circus everywhere, from the implementing agencies, to the regulators and eventually law enforcement agencies. Even when people are taken to court, they let are left to go with a slap on the wrist. People bend laws."
},
{
"id": 1549661,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1549661/?format=api",
"text_counter": 377,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
"slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
},
"content": "There are so many recommendations to EPRA. Part (b) speaks to what I talked about. This point out that I had not fully read the report but I can see that the committee went into the issue of zoning. They have proposed that a physical inspection should be carried out before issuing any license to ensure that the zoning laws are not breached."
}
]
}