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{
    "id": 1186994,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1186994/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 341,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wamatinga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13582,
        "legal_name": "Wahome Wamatinga",
        "slug": "wahome-wamatinga"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, my name is Wahome Wamatinga. I also rise to support this Motion. I have a lot of technical knowledge having worked in the water sector in the last 20 years. The problem we have in this country is that when we designed the dams, we had not looked at the dynamics that will change in the future. We had not foreseen a situation where deforestation will take the dynamics that it has taken. One of the biggest challenges in this country is that all the dams that were constructed, do not retain a third of their capacity. I thank Sen. Mungatana, MGH for coming up with this very important Motion. As Kenyans we need to look at the impact of environmental pollution, starting with siltation of the dams. The number of trees that have been felled upstream in the last twenty years one is of the major reasons why we have drought. When it rains, the soils are already loose, hence most are washed downstream and thus the dams are not filled with water but mud from the landslide. Therefore, I think we need to relook at the conceptualization of dam construction. We should start by mitigating the measures of environmental pollution such as siltation. After that, we can address the effects of water shortage. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if I had enough time, I could explain to this House what we did with the Budalangi dykes. There were perennial floods every couple of years. I was one of the designers of those dykes. Up to today, we have been able to mitigate the flooding. It can also be done upstream. Dams can be constructed, not only to generate electricity but to also retain water that is released back to the river, whenever we do not have rainfall. That is the solution for this country. Again, I am happy that the Government has committed itself to constructing dams and using a different approach which is Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). By so doing, we will be able to utilize our resources. Going forward, designs should be based on public participation. Our input will maybe help this country get where we need to go. I thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir."
}