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{
"id": 1008809,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1008809/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13131,
"legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
"slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
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"content": "our food prices have remained considerably stable despite the interruption of inter-county supply chains for some essential commodities. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, among the risks that have been identified to sustain food production and distribution, were hazards such as flooding - which we have seen happening - the desert locusts invasion, restriction in movement and impassable roads due to heavy rains and low purchasing power as a result of loss of livelihoods for many households in our country. The impact of these factors has not been as extensive as has been projected and some of the cushioning mechanisms have helped. However, we are aware and are worried that this situation might not prevail for long. We will not be able to hold the reduction of purchasing power with many of our households for many more months to come, and something needs to be done. Additionally, the food distribution measures targeting vulnerable communities and families, as put in place by the national Government and county governments, as well as the private sector, community groups and individuals, have greatly worked to ensure that we have not experienced loss of lives due to hunger during the pandemic. There is no official record or report of that. The Committee greatly commends the organizations, including the private sector, well-wishers, religious institutions and our bilateral and multilateral international partners, who have been involved in these efforts. I want to thank them. We have seen many Kenyans of goodwill coming together to put together food packages and huge support from our partners across the world. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, one of the early interventions by the Committee was on the question of transportation, distribution and sale of miraa produce across the country, which was hampered by actions taken by some county governments to impound and destroy miraa . Following our engagements with officials of the national Government and county governments, that at least cropped, because it has a huge economic impact. It was included in the schedule of essential commodities. We are not encouraging people to think of it as essential, but at least the transport has come back. Protocols have been developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives that have been followed in ensuring that the producers, traders, and consumers of the crop continue in business, while taking precautions against the spread of COVID-19. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on the issue of access to water, we noted that water service providers across the country have been greatly impacted. They are really suffering as a result of reduced billing collections that are coupled with measures not to disconnect consumers in default. They have reduced collections and cannot disconnect customers who are in default. That has really affected them. We urge the national Government and county governments to put in place targeted interventions to support the continued operations of these water service providers, to ensure the continued operations during and beyond the pandemic. Notably, we recommend the following: If this report is passed by the House today, then it will be a resolution of the Senate. One, the national Government introduces a preferential electricity tariff for water service providers. The current tariff is between Kshs15 to Kshs22 per kilowatt-hour and The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}