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{
    "id": 1342369,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1342369/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 268,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Jessica Mbalu (",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Parliament can make and amend laws. In the process of amending the law, we can propose to increase the allocation to KeRRA from 32 per cent. In most constituencies in the country, only 22 per cent of constituency roads and 10 per cent of critical link roads are visible. These are the only visible roads and there are engineers and people who inspect them. I think this was an attempt to kill or disrespect Parliament. The Cabinet Secretary was a former Senator and he understands the importance of roads. The President was a Member of Parliament and he knows what roads mean to the people. Section 6 of the Kenya Roads Board Act, 2019 provides that the Board shall allocate funds from the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund. It has outlined as follows: KeRRA 32 per cent and KURA 15 per cent. I can tell you that most constituencies benefit only from KeRRA. I come from Kibwezi East Constituency where people from Nzambani, Kambi ya Munyu, Daraja-Mbili to Lukenya University have benefitted from KeRRA and the roads are smooth. The women are taken to hospital by ambulances on smooth roads. Bodaboda people are using the new roads done by KeRRA and of course, they are using little money in terms of fuelling and maintenance. Hon. Temporary Speaker, this must be an abuse. To reduce the KeRRA funds, I think every Member in this House says no. I do not know who advised the Director-General in his Memo. I am sure he is watching and has seen Parliament is not supporting him. He must get a different adviser to advise him on Parliament’s work and how to separate duties of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. This House must be respected. We have been elected by people to represent them. That is why I am saying on the Floor of the House that I support the Committee in annulling the Report. In fact, the funds as I said should be increased and released. The rains are about to start, the roads are pathetic and our people need to use them. I agree with my fellow Members of Parliament, that these recommendations are very mild. We should have strong recommendations including having a Kamukunji and calling upon the Director-General to explain to him how the law is made and give him a report on the benefits of KeRRA roads, to our constituents and the people of Kenya. The county governments should do their work. They have been allocated money. They should not interfere with the national Government. The Kenya Roads Board recommends that they expedite the release of funds for the Financial Year 2023/2024 to the road agencies and especially KeRRA so that it can work for our people. Hon. Temporary Speaker, with those few remarks, I support my fellow Members of Parliament. This is null and void and I support the Committee. Congratulations to the Chairperson and his Committee."
}