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{
    "id": 1367774,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1367774/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 328,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Abass",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13587,
        "legal_name": "Abass Sheikh Mohamed",
        "slug": "abass-sheikh"
    },
    "content": "I wish to start by expressing my sincere appreciation to all the Senators who rose to support this very important Motion. It is clear that this Motion was supported by both sides of the House. This is a clear statement of determination to empower our devolved units to grow economically and develop into sustainable and self-sufficient entities. As you are aware, urbanization is one of the powerful and irreversible forces in the world. Urbanization and economic growth are positively linked because of the essential role they play in a nation’s development towards a stronger and more stable economy. Cities, towns and other urban areas provide economies of scale, enhance agglomeration, attract talent and skilled labor and serve as hubs for production and service centers. As you are aware, many other municipalities are waiting for this to be confirmed and then request for conferment to cities. It is time to have more cities in this country, the likes of Kakamega where our Senate Majority Whip comes from. Many others are in the waiting list. As the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, we will do our best to at least go the extra mile to see more municipalities become cities. The Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations is keen on ensuring effective governance and management of cities, towns and urban areas in the country for efficient service delivery and economic transformation. It is noteworthy that Eldoret is the second municipality that the Committee has recommended to be conferred city status after Nakuru. As you are aware, Eldoret has been a municipality since 1953 and it meets all the requirements. It also has humble land for expansion. Currently, it is sitting on 146,000 square kilometres and there is more land that is available for development. There is also a new area that has been earmarked for the city development and anybody who wishes to invest. If Sen. Wakili Sigei is ready to invest in Eldoret, he can take this opportunity at the earliest time possible. The Committee is very pleased and inspired by the positive contributions by the hon. Senators. It took a keen note of all the issues that the House observed and advised with regard to the management of urban areas. The Committee will endeavour to engage with the relevant authorities in the Municipality. There are a few issues, for example, the roads are still narrow and need to be expanded. There is also the water issue and some of the farms will need to be recovered as the city expands. However, that is not a big deal because the City of London, one of the oldest cities in the world, is surrounded by big farms. If you overfly London, you will see cattle all around beautiful lawns, where animals are being kept, for example, horses and sheep. Therefore, Eldoret will not be an exception to have a big farm around the city. We can still accommodate those big farms as part of the beautification of the city. I take this opportunity to commend my Committee Members for the commitment and duty, which they made in the consideration of the application for conferment of City status to the Municipality of Eldoret successful. I wish to thank the Offices of the Speaker and the Clerk of the Senate for the support. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}