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{
    "id": 1279904,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1279904/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 349,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "they ensure they attract credible service providers? How do they ensure they entice private practitioners or water works to invest without them cutting corners? On the other side, we must ensure water is affordable. Some of the tariffs we are having currently… I want to give an example of an electricity project. There is the Kudura Power Project, which goes to many places in western Kenya as opposed to other parts of this country. Their tariffs are three times higher than Kenya Power's, yet people have taken them because they are better than nothing. Again, this is unaffordable and extremely expensive. Going through the Bill, as short as it is, we need to address a few curious issues. There is a very curious provision in Clause 4. I hope those in charge are listening. At the very end of Clause 4, the provision states: “provided that a national public water works shall not be transferable to a county government.” We need further explanation. What does it mean that national public water works are not transferable to a county government? Water is a devolved function. What exactly are we saying? Are we infringing on the Constitution? Are we changing the way we do things? We need to be very clear. In any case, the section on definitions and interpretation does not define what constitutes “national public water works.” Is this another case of hurried drafting that cannot address the issue? Another matter of concern is the issue of which body is authorized to abstract water. Clause 10 of the Bill tries to redefine or contextualise the matter but is unclear. You have heard of the quarrels between the people of Murang’a and those of Nairobi. They argue that water is extracted in Murang’a and transported to Nairobi, yet the people of Murang’a do not have water. The Bill is not very clear on the cure for that malady. I urge the Committee to re-look it and draw from experts in the water sector. As we introduce PPPs, we need to be very clear to avoid conflicts, confrontations, and a lot of wastage. It is not always right to say that a private sector entity is the most efficient. It is not. Often, the public sector can be efficient if only we cure governance issues. Many public sector bodies make profits, while many private sector players perpetually report losses. At the end of the day, the common mwananchi must get clean, adequate water at a reasonable price. I hope that there will be public participation during the setting of tariffs so that we do not exploit Kenyans to reward the private sector. With those few remarks, I support the Bill."
}