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{
    "id": 1347500,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1347500/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 372,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Oketch Gicheru",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Our biggest problem in this Committee is the response by WASREB to those kinds of problems. To them, the issue becomes the tariffs. If there is non-revenue water in any region, WASREB will review, impose or keep regulating the tariffs. Madam Temporary Speaker, we do not need WASREB. If the issue is about safe and good water for people to consume, give governors power to take control of standards of water that people drink in their counties. I trust our governors to work with Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), to establish standards in their respective counties, and ensure that there is safe water within their borders. Do not leave it to WASREB to put some blanket descriptions, definitions and supervision that do not resonate with the challenges and opportunities that some counties face. For instance, commercial losses that come with lack of enforcement of billing system and proper invoicing, has nothing to do with WASREB. That is a commercial practice that can be controlled by different counties in their own ways. Madam Temporary Speaker, if there is anything that this Bill could help us to do, it is to do away with the Water Works Development Agencies and WASREB. Let the powers of WASREB in water provision bodies be taken back and given to counties. Madam Temporary Speaker, Clause Six of the Bill proposes that the amendment of Section 69 of the Act to provide for clarity between the roles of Water Works Development Agencies and water service providers. This is true because that redundancy, as I have said before, is simply caused by Water Works Development Agencies. Let the provision of water services be fully given to water services providers, which are owned by counties. Madam Temporary Speaker, Clause Seven of the Bill proposes the amendment of Section 72 of the Act, to provide for additional functions of water service providers regulatory body; and to remove the water service regulatory bodies’ power to accredit water service providers. This is problematic because it will touch on Sections 75, 76 and 77 of the Water Act, 2016. This will mean water service providers will be purely for individuals and not counties anymore. That will take the entire water function to the private sector. I have nothing against the private sector providing water. However, my only problem is that everybody in this country will have the economic potential, capabilities and resources to acquire water, regardless of who provides it. The intent of the Fourth Schedule of devolving water was to give water to people who cannot afford it. This Bill makes it impossible for counties to take full control and give this water service provision back to the private sector entirely. That makes it impossible."
}