Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1270482,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1270482/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 112,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Alice Wahome",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "40 per cent and 60 per cent and leave the rest for purposes of normal flow. I have other figures indicated on that page which the Members will look at. The other question is why River Rupingazi is being diverted to Mbeere South Irrigation Scheme. River Rupingazi is a cross-county river in a way because it is also shared from wherever it flows from to reach Embu. It flows through other counties, but is also shared between Kirinyaga and Embu counties. So, it is expected that some extraction is permitted for those who live on the Kirinyaga side. The river flows from one constituency to another. Therefore, any diversion that may occur is perfectly within what is permissible. I will go back to Embu County soon. I am available to ensure that some of those issues are addressed. The acting CEO of the National Irrigation Authority is also available here for further details. I believe he has picked some of those questions so that if there is need for rectification, we can work on it. The other question is on the rationale for redirecting that river. I have just answered that question. In a nutshell, the Water Resource Authority acts as required under the Water Act and the Water Resources Regulation. We are also litigating in respect of the Regulations to ensure that it fully works within the law. Once any application is made, it is considered after proper assessment of how much water is available. The third question is about clarifying whether public participation was carried out in the review of the rates that were affected by the Water Resources Regulations, 2021. The Regulations went through public participation. They were accordingly approved by Parliament. Through the Committee on Delegated Legislation, Parliament had the occasion to go through those Regulations. I also believe that there is normally public participation through Parliament. For us to reach a point where the Regulations are in operation, then it means that public participation was done. Questions on whether public participation was done were raised and answered during the hearings and appearances before the Committee on Delegated Legislation. The other details are available in the report for the Member to peruse. With your permission, I rest my case."
}