Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 1336810,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1336810/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 22,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marsabit County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Naomi Waqo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I begin the conclusion of my debate by saying that we know very well that many lives have been lost as a result of accidents. Many families are affected and they live with trauma. Many children have lost their parents and breadwinners. Accidents and carelessness on our roads have reduced them to nothing. The best thing we can do is to make sure we put proper measures in place to prevent these accidents. Prevention is better than cure. For us to prevent accidents, we need to see how to lower or eliminate accidents on our roads. We may increase the enforcement of existing systems by combating corruption. Corruption plays a big role since our traffic police officers on the roads receive bribes and do not talk about challenges on our roads. Sometimes public vehicles are overloaded and nobody pays attention. We shall reduce these accidents if we put proper measures in place, apply regulatory changes, and use technology to gather the intelligence required. If a driver is not qualified or does not have the necessary documents, they should not work as a driver. Many people have lost lives because of that. Proper implementation of the Ministry’s directive of 19th April 2023 on measures to reduce road accidents should be undertaken. We will reduce accidents drastically if we put measures in place and take necessary action. As I said, legislation must be put in place. The Cabinet Secretary himself assured us sometimes back that things will not be the same. Even after the assurance, lots of lives have been lost. Many people involved in accidents have lost their lives. Others are in hospitals while others have been destabilised and become disabled for the rest of their lives. It is better for us as a country to make sure we put preventive measures in place. Hon. Deputy Speaker, it is very touching when school-going children lose their lives while on school trips. Some parents cannot even comprehend how that happens. Losing a child in whom you have invested a lot and had many hopes is bad. Maybe it is the only child. That is why, when it comes to school-going children, we should put timelines for school-going children to operate within. Otherwise, we will continue mourning and not solve this problem. Again, Members of Parliament have also lost lives in accidents. Members of county assemblies (MCAs) and other prominent people have also lost their lives. Sometimes these accidents are because of carelessness. I remember we lost one of our colleagues in a road accident. He was crossing the road while going for prayers. Unfortunately, he was knocked down by a bodaboda. That cost his life. Yes, it is true that bodaboda riders build themselves and the country economically. They transform lives. However, too many people have lost their lives because of bodaboda accidents. We need to make sure that our bodaboda riders are trained well and have relevant certificates and licenses. They should also have all the gear. When accidents happen, they save their lives. That is why we need to be serious about this issue and legislate on this matter. If you compare the accidents that happened last year, you will find that we have lost more people this year. Towards the end of the year, I am sure it might change. It is better for us to put proper measures in place, especially as we approach the end-of-year festive season. As you know, Kenyans truly enjoy the Christmas season and holidays. That is the time again when many accidents happen. As a House, it is better for us to legislate on this matter and make sure that Kenyans lives are protected at every stage. People should also take care of themselves. Sometimes when we talk about northern Kenya and the place I come from, which is Marsabit County, people think we do not have good roads. However, we appreciate the effort of the late President Mwai Kibaki. He made sure that we have good roads in northern Kenya, especially leading to Marsabit and Moyale towns. We have lost many families on the Isiolo– Moyale Road. The road is good and smooth. People drive at high speeds on this road. People have lost families and their lives. Young visionary people who are leaders going for 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."
}