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"id": 1571332,
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"text_counter": 171,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "(Motion deferred)"
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"id": 1571333,
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"text_counter": 172,
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"speaker": null,
"content": "EXPANSION OF MAJOR ROADS TO DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS"
},
{
"id": 1571334,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1571334/?format=api",
"text_counter": 173,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. David Ochieng’",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Hon. Faith Gitau."
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{
"id": 1571335,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1571335/?format=api",
"text_counter": 174,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Nyandarua County, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Faith Gitau",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, aware that the Kenya Roads Act, 2007 provides for the establishment of road authorities responsible for, among other functions, the management and development of roads under their respective purview and for developing and providing adequate transport infrastructure that guarantees safe and efficient movement of people, goods and services across the country and beyond; further aware that the First Schedule of the Kenya Roads Act provides for the classification of national trunk roads into classes A, B and Class C; recognizing that the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution assigns to the national Government the function of the construction and operation of national trunk roads; noting that significant portion of highways in the national trunk road network are currently single carriageways; concerned that single carriageway roads pose multifaceted 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": 1571336,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1571336/?format=api",
"text_counter": 175,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Nyandarua County, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Faith Gitau",
"speaker": null,
"content": "challenges, including traffic congestion during peak periods which limits movement of people, goods and services across regions and increases vulnerability to road accidents; further concerned that the lack of foot bridges and safe pedestrian crossing areas on these high-traffic roads has been a leading contributor to the surge in road accidents in the recent past; cognisant of the duty of the Government to provide a reliable transport system for efficient traffic management, economic development and bolstering interconnectivity among all regions in the country and beyond; now therefore, this House resolves that the Government, through the Ministry of Roads and Transport, undertake an expansion programme of national trunk roads with a view of upgrading all Classes A, B and C roads in the country from two-way lanes to dual carriageway, one- way roads with the necessary infrastructure that include foot bridges, safe crossing zones at regular intervals, proper drainage systems and other requisite infrastructure for their optimal operation. The efficient functioning of a country’s economy depends largely on the adequacy and efficiency of its transport system. An efficient transportation network plays a significant role in accessing public facilities, both in rural and urban areas of the country. The main purpose of effective transportation, especially in urban areas, is to meet the demand for passenger and freight movement. One fundamental fact is that transportation is an indispensable component of the economy, playing a pivotal role in connecting cities and driving growth. Our country faces significant challenges in road safety, traffic congestion and urban infrastructure particularly along major highways. In recent times, road accidents have become alarmingly common, often resulting in the loss of lives. Recent statistics regarding road accidents from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) paints a very grim picture. Between 1st January and 30th March 2024, 7,198 Kenyans were involved in road accidents. Tragically, 1,189 persons lost their lives while 3,316 were seriously injured. Most alarmingly, pedestrians accounted for the highest fatalities. These figures underscore the critical need for the Ministry of Roads and Transport to undertake decisive action to ensure road safety. The rapid growth of our population has exacerbated these issues, leading to increased traffic volumes and severe congestion in major cities. To address these challenges, we must implement targeted road-engineering solutions, particularly the expansion of major roads into dual carriageways. Additionally, we need to implement sophisticated movement control measures such as traffic lights, pedestrian crossing, warning signs and road markings. These measures will not only ensure road safety but also provide a platform for economic growth and development by easing movement of goods and the people. The Fourth Schedule to our Constitution clearly lays out the distribution of functions between the national Government and county governments. Part 1, paragraph 18 assigns the national Government the responsibility for road traffic and the construction and operation of national trunk roads. Furthermore, the Kenya Roads Act, 2007 established the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) responsible for the development, rehabilitation, management and maintenance of all national trunk roads. This includes Classes A, B and C roads linking centres of international and national importance. A detailed review of collision data from KeNHA’s Black Spot Management Report 2018, covering 2011 to 2016, ranked the top 30 high-crash locations on roads under their mandate. Each of these locations recorded at least five collisions in a calendar year highlighting the urgent need for intervention. The rising cases of grisly accidents on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway are largely due to the road’s design. This highway should be fully upgraded to a dual carriageway to reduce the carnage we have witnessed due to high traffic flow. The section from Rironi to Naivasha to Nakuru is prone to serious traffic jams especially during major holidays. Similarly, the Nairobi- Mombasa Highway should be converted to a dual carriageway to address increasing traffic 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": 1571337,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1571337/?format=api",
"text_counter": 176,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Nyandarua County, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Faith Gitau",
"speaker": null,
"content": "congestion. This upgrade would reduce travel time from 10 hours to four hours, facilitating faster transit and improved connectivity between our capital and our major port city. The Rironi-Mai Mahiu-Narok-Bomet Road, despite being a crucial gateway to many counties, is dangerously narrow. Expanding this road to a dual carriageway would reduce traffic snaps that result in millions of shillings in losses. This and many other national trunk roads that serve as a conduit between cities should be expanded to dual carriageway. There is also need to accord extra attention to appropriate road engineering designs to enhance the safety of all road users. KeNHA should design roads to move traffic at appropriate speeds, apply techniques to control speeds, improve visibility at intersections and physically separate highways in urban areas from pedestrian walkways. Many of our roads are narrow and do not account for the exponential growth in vehicular traffic. Statistics show that a high percentage of accidents are head-on collisions, especially at known black spot areas. The successful design of the road in Salgaa area along the Nakuru-Eldoret Road to a dual carriageway proves that a redesign on major national trunk roads can significantly reduce traffic accidents. The KeNHA should also provide engineering facilities like foot bridges, central barriers, road underpasses and sidewalks to safeguard pedestrians and non-motorised traffic. They should address the insufficient or absent road signs and markings at dangerous sites, which contribute to many accidents. Hon. Temporary Speaker, a prime example is the Waiyaki Way dual carriageway from James Gichuru to Rironi. The road lacks essential safety measures. It has no lighting and marked strips. It lacks service lanes and pedestrian crossings. It is crucial to note that this area serves a large population from surrounding towns such as Kangemi, Uthiru, Kinoo, Kikuyu, Zambezi and other nearby settlements. As we upgrade our national trunk roads to dual carriageways, we must also ensure that the necessary infrastructure—that includes foot bridges, safe crossing zones at regular intervals and other requisite infrastructure—are there for their optimal operation. Additionally, we must replace non-standard and non-retroreflective road signage with high intensity signs for better visibility, especially at night. The impact of dual carriageways for sustainable socio-economic development of any nation cannot be over emphasised. The dualling of Classes A, B and C roads should be prioritised as this will go a long way in reducing transit time and minimising accidents caused by dangerous overtaking. Moreover, enhancing our road infrastructure will significantly bolster our economy by easing the movement of goods and people, decongesting major cities and reducing transportation costs. Improved road networks will attract investment, stimulate trade and create job opportunities, thereby fostering economic development across all regions of our country. In conclusion and in light of these considerations, I urge this House to support this Motion for the betterment of our nation's infrastructure, economy and most importantly, the protection of Kenyan lives. This expansion will be a critical step towards a safer and more prosperous country. By investing in this road expansion programme, we are investing in the future of our country where citizens can live and travel safely. Our businesses can thrive and our economy will grow further. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move and request Hon. Pauline Lenguris, Member for Samburu County, to second."
},
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"id": 1571338,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1571338/?format=api",
"text_counter": 177,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "(Hon. Pauline Lenguris stood in her place)"
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"id": 1571339,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1571339/?format=api",
"text_counter": 178,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. David Ochieng’",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Give me one minute, Hon. Pauline."
},
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"id": 1571340,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1571340/?format=api",
"text_counter": 179,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. David Ochieng’",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Members, join me in welcoming students from DEB Kianda Primary School, Buuri Constituency, Meru County, and students from Bishop Lawrence Bessone Primary School, 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": 1571341,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1571341/?format=api",
"text_counter": 180,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. David Ochieng’",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": "North Imenti, Meru County. They are welcome to follow our proceedings this morning in the House of Parliament."
}
]
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