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{
    "id": 1128875,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1128875/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 270,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kilifi North, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Owen Baya",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13373,
        "legal_name": "Owen Yaa Baya",
        "slug": "owen-yaa-baya"
    },
    "content": "the Departmental Committee on Environment and Natural Resources regarding continued power interruption at Baricho Water Works, leading to water shortages in the Coast Region. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Coast Region is water scarce, with an estimated coverage of only 56 per cent. Out of the 4.5 million people in the region, only 2.5 million have access to portable water. The water supply in the region is majorly from the four connected bulk water supply systems, namely; Baricho Water Works, Mzima, Marere and Tiwi Boreholes. Due to the terrain, most of the water supply systems rely heavily on pumping, which is made possible through power supply from the main grid. The Baricho Water Works in particular has seen over 30 per cent increase in electricity tariffs amounting to Kshs30 million. The high cost of energy, combined with the effects of COVID-19, has led to closure of hotels and loss of business from consumers, resulting in accumulation of electricity bills that amounted to Kshs354 million by April 2021. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the disconnection of water by Kenya Power Company has led to closure of schools and hospitals, and homesteads are suffering because of lack of water. The cost of water in the Coastal Region is among the highest in Kenya and any further upward adjustment of the water tariffs will make water unaffordable. Water is a fundamental human right as per our Constitution. It is against this background that I seek a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to address the following issues: (i) What measures has the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation put in place to subsidise the cost of water production for Baricho Water Works and offset the outstanding electricity arrears amounting to Kshs220 million as at October 2021? (ii) What immediate steps is the Ministry taking to ensure that water supply is not disrupted due to power disconnections at Baricho Water Works and other water pumping stations in the country? (iii) What plans are there to grant a special tariff of power for bulk water suppliers in order to reduce the cost of water? (iv) What alternative power sources is the Ministry considering to employ at Baricho Water Works to ensure sustainability of water supply? Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker."
}