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{
"id": 1111017,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1111017/?format=api",
"text_counter": 104,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Maara, JP",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Kareke Mbiuki",
"speaker": {
"id": 79,
"legal_name": "Japhet M. Kareke Mbiuki",
"slug": "japhet-kareke-mbiuki"
},
"content": "subgrade material along the section and, in the process, blocking four manholes. The existing road drainage at the section was also damaged. In the absence of an alternative road drainage path, both storm water and sewage are ponding at the lowest areas upstream of the affected various sections including: Pharma Building, Loan View Estate, Elan Park, KAPA Industries and Little Bees Kindergarten and Primary School. Hon. Speaker, in order to avert possible environmental and health hazard, especially to the pupils of the schools, a decision to close down the schools and relocate the pupils was taken on Wednesday 4th August 2021. This is because all surface water and sewage spillage were ponding at the school as the drainage was not working properly then. On 6th August 2021, the contractor was instructed to urgently provide a 400-m diversion pipeline around the problem stretch to drain the waste water from the schools. Work commenced on 12th August 2021. The information which I have received was that the school was fully cleaned and fumigated by KeNHA and learning is expected to resume next week. Further, Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company, the service provider in Syokimau area, has undertaken measures to redirect the sewage flow back to the existing manholes and is going on with cleaning of all manholes filled with excavated soil and any other debris. This has allowed the sewage that had inundated the adjoining areas to flow back into the existing sewer line. The company has also undertaken disinfection of premises affected by the sewage backflow to private premises such as Little Bees, Best Homes, Elan Park and other facilities Hon. Speaker, a more permanent preventive measure would entail proper planning for restoration of utilities in a coordinated approach. The Ministry is therefore keen on ensuring this approach is adopted in order to forestall inconveniences that would otherwise be avoided. This is being done through frequent effective coordination meetings between the implementing agencies, service providers and contractors. Measures are in place to provide for sewer lines and other road infrastructure that will ensure proper drainage of the raw sewer waste along the diversions and, in particular, in Syokimau area. There is provided proper management of sewage and other water infrastructure along the road corridor, including Syokimau area, during construction of the Expressway. This will be achieved through collaborative and co-ordinated actions between the project implementing agencies, the water service providers and the contractor. Previously, a lot of damage to relocated and existing water and sewage pipelines was rampant. However, due to the intervention of National Development Implementation Technical Committee (NDITC), the cases have reduced. However, more needs to be done by the contractors to ensure unnecessary damage to utilities is avoided. Hon. Speaker, there are urgent steps that the contractor is taking to stop the spillage and ensure removal of the sewage waste from the said school ground amongst other areas so as to avert further damage. Once the diversion pipeline is completed, the sewage spillage at the school will be drained into the main sewer line. Meanwhile, a relief trench has been constructed to evacuate the flooded waste water into the nearest functional manhole. Lastly, I wish to inform the House that the Committee, within two days after the Petition was tabled in this House on August 17th 2021, interacted with affected persons, the area Assistant County Commissioner, the area Member of Parliament, Hon. Patrick Makau, MP and officers from the Water Resources Authority (WRA) and Athi Water Works Development Agency. At the end of the site visit, it was resolved as follows: That, within 3 weeks, the section of the sewer line that was destroyed should be fixed. I want to confirm that the same has been done. To ensure the scenario was not repeated in the ongoing road works at the Expressway, the road 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."
}