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{
    "id": 1378864,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1378864/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 137,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Joe Nyutu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, before I go to the recommendations, I also wish to point out the other shortfalls or things that KPC does that are not very pleasing, especially in this day and age. Currently, there is a big shortage of transformers. There are many people out there pushing us to request for transformers for them. This is not something that politicians are supposed to do. However, our people come to us out of despair. This is because some meters that are sometimes vandalized will take even months before they are replaced. When you follow up with KPC, mostly, the answer you get is that their meters are out of supply. This is something that concerns us as representatives of the people. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Report has made many recommendations. Most of them have a soft landing for these IPPs. If you look at some of these recommendations and I did look at them, recommendation No.13 provides that – “prioritization of future IPPs should be given to Geothermal Power in order to provide a continuous power supply with minimum interruptions at the base load;” Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is as if we are trying to fit into the position of IPPS. Most of us that have contributed today have asked, do we really need these IPPs? Can the KPC not enhance its productivity of power? Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, why would we want to continue making some private companies to benefit out of the suffering of Kenyans? Why would Kenya Power Company (KPLC), a monopoly, still rely on Independent Power Producers (IPPs)? Why would KPC not invest in production of power? These are the questions that we have been asking ourselves. Why do we use IPPs? Can we not do away with them all together? Another area relates to production of power. We have travelled to some countries and you will find that they have uninterrupted power supply. Most of these countries, if you ask, you will be told it is because they use nuclear power, which is why their power supply is never interrupted. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, perhaps, it is time we also started asking ourselves, through the Committee, what prevents us from generating nuclear power? I am happy that Sen. Wamatinga is still in the House. Is it not an option considering the high need for power supply that we have? We also should be asking ourselves why KPC continues to be a monopoly. Some of us have had an opportunity to apply to be connected to power. One very interesting thing is that sometimes it is the would-be consumers persuading KPC to connect them. If they were to operate as a company that makes some profit, they should be pursuing new connections. It should not be the other way around; that sometimes people look for some influence to be connected with electricity. Is it not time to look into the possibility of perhaps licensing another power company so that there is competition? When there is competition, efficiency is sure. I challenge the Standing Committee on Energy to look into whether there is a possibility of having other companies, not just one, so that there is competition. This will ensure that we can also afford our people a variety. They say variety is the spice of life. If I do feel like being connected to power by another company, then I should have a choice. Why must we continue protecting or giving support to a monopoly that is not efficient? Kenya Power Company must convince this country that it should continue 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."
}