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{
    "id": 1130055,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1130055/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 82,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta",
    "speaker_title": "His Excellency the President",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 168,
        "legal_name": "Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta",
        "slug": "uhuru-kenyatta"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Speakers, another national reminder of the opportunities we seized during COVID- 19 was the sight of the Likoni Channel Crossing. Previous scenes of Mombasa residents, congested along the Likoni Ferry are now a thing of the past. The iconic Likoni Floating Bridge, built in a record time of six (6) months, and opened to the public in December 2020, sees over 150,000 residents cross the channel on a daily commute in an orderly, safe and secure manner. This has not only allowed for the efficient management of time and mobility across the channel, but significantly moderated the incidences of COVID-19 transmission, and contributing to our overall disease mitigation strategy in the coastal region. Kenya has taken pride of place through this initiative - a first of its kind in the region – linking Liwatoni on Mombasa Island with Ras Bofu in the Likoni mainland. We intend to adopt such innovative approaches and learning to deliver on similar challenges in our various sectors. Hon. Speakers, COVID-19 was both a danger and an opportunity. And because we focused on the opportunity side of the crisis, now Kenya has developed the necessary infrastructure for the rolling out the Universal Health Coverage Outreach. But of equal importance, our COVID-19 innovations in the area of health have propelled us to a place where Kenya can become a destination for health tourism for the region and beyond. Hon. Members, ladies and gentlemen, I cannot end this COVID-19 part of my address to Parliament without paying tribute to the people of Kenya for their commendable civic responsibility in the fight against COVID-19. While my administration provided leadership and action, our people supported with self-sacrifice and civic duty. As you will recall, very early in the pandemic, I warned our people that the Government cannot police the morality of its citizens. I warned that in a war against an invisible enemy like COVID-19, our former way of life would have to be adapted to a new normal where every Kenyan was his or her neighbour’s keeper. In this, new normal citizens do not fight for liberties; they scramble for survival. When I made this call for civic responsibility in the face of COVID-19, I also emphasised that responsibility is not a burden. It is a civic duty. I pay tribute to our fellow citizens for being responsible members of our communities. As our forefathers stressed time and time again, our greatest strength will always be our unit. Today I am happy to report that despite the challenges, immense pressures and limits on our way of life, Kenyans rose to the task and acted responsibly. Where others were reluctant, Kenyans gladly sacrificed for the good of the whole. For that reason, we were able to bend the curve and prevent worst-case scenarios. Due to this, and after careful consideration, during the Mashujaa Day celebrations, I lifted the curfew and restriction of movement countrywide. 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."
}