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{
    "id": 1123115,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1123115/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 159,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suba North, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Odhiambao-Mabona",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 376,
        "legal_name": "Millie Grace Akoth Odhiambo Mabona",
        "slug": "millie-odhiambo-mabona"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Let me thank the Cabinet Secretary and the Committee for that response. I just want to indicate that while the Committee was in Homa Bay, we had yet another tragedy where we lost three more people. The recommendation by the Committee to have patrol boats in Remba-Ringiti-Mfangano Island is extremely welcome. I would encourage that in the next budget we prioritise these suggestions, so that we have security not just in relation to internal issues, but also as regards harassment of fishermen by authorities from Uganda and Tanzania, which quite often cause a lot of accidents. I would also want to alert the Committee that one of the things that happened after they came that caused that accident is the drenching of the Mbita Bridge that is causing extremely heavy currents. That is the same sport where my father died before the bridge was drenched. By drenching the bridge, it is creating the same crisis. Unless security measures are put in place, many more people will die. So, as a matter of urgency, I am requesting that that also be put in the budget. Finally, I also notice that the Kenya Coast Guard have only one boat and one station in Mbita Town that is not very effective. They are focusing a lot more on compliance by fishermen, which in a way is criminalising poverty. For instance, they are asking whether we have certification of coxswain. We are doing that through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to help them train, but training one coxswain costs about Kshs60,000. It is not like driving a car. Being a coxswain is more expensive. I am requesting that they also consider creating a fund for rapid training. We will train some coxswains through the NG-CDF, but the other relevant agencies should also consider mounting a programme for rapid training of coxswains, so that they can comply with the maritime law. Above all, the Kenya Coast Guard should work with the local communities to create a friendly working relationship rather than harass members of the local community. Thank you. 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."
}