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{
    "id": 1114810,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1114810/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 216,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tharaka, DP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. George Gitonga",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13491,
        "legal_name": "George Gitonga Murugara",
        "slug": "george-gitonga-murugara"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. Allow me to add my voice to the debate on the National Water Policy, the Sessional Paper we are discussing today with emphasis on the fact that water is a source of our livelihood, our livestock and agriculture. Therefore, the country needs a very sound water policy so that there is equitable distribution of water to all communities and people in all counties in the Republic. As we speak today, there are areas in Kenya that are fully watered which means every household enjoys piped water. While there are other areas where water is scarce as we can imagine. In fact, in those areas you find they are still in the stone age where they dig shallow wells in dry riverbeds to collect water and the mode of transport is water jerrican and donkeys. I think as an independent country 50 or 60 years down the line, we should be moving away from this with a clear-cut policy that every household in Kenya should be provided with clean piped water. Allow me to express a case of Tharaka Nithi County and Tharaka Constituency. It is vitally important we have a paradigm shift in this country so that we have water in my constituency. We have several rivers traversing through my constituency emanating from Mt. Kenya, Nyambene Hills and other highlands. In the recent past we have seen these rivers drying up purely because of climate changes and sometimes what is called illegal blockage of water channels by people living upstream. The net effect of this is the people living downstream suffer acute water shortage and if this is not managed well, it can lead to conflict. The Government needs to put in place a policy which will ensure that those upstream are able to share water equitably with those downstream. This is the case in Tharaka Constituency vis-à-vis the neighbouring upstream Meru County and other places. I am happy to know the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Kareke Mbiuki who is my neighbour. I want to ask him that as he deals with water, to make provisions for a water chapter for Tharaka Constituency. I know this is in the pipeline and the able Chairman will do this, so that my constituency is also equitably served with water like other areas of this Republic. As a nation, let us harvest all the water available whether rain water, rivers or fresh water lakes. Let us put this into use by constructing mega or small dams, dykes and others. The county government of Tharaka Nithi must also play its role because as we speak, we are still waiting for the short rains to set in. I am told many areas in my constituency including Tharaka North, South and others do not have water. Let the county move with speed to provide schools with water through water bowsers or any other means to ensure children have sufficient water. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, with those remarks, I support. 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."
}