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{
    "id": 1380111,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1380111/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 291,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Tabitha Mutinda",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I am happy that my Senator for Nairobi, Sen. Sifuna, has a Bill which I have also noted in the Report. It is going to look at the transparency issues as far as energy agreements are concerned. It is through this old system that cartels know the tender that is coming aboard. So, agreements are done prior. In the eventuality that the agreements are settled, the output, or what that supplier needs to do, does not meet the goals. There needs to be transparency on these energy purchase agreements. We have had issues with power loads. I am talking about issues that I have experienced as a home end user of Kenya Power. At the same time, a manufacturer of non-woven bags and a member of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. Manufacturers have also been affected by the cost and unexpected power loads. It ends up affecting the machines or the end-home users. This brings about the issue of compensation to the affected individuals or manufacturers which takes a long period. I am happy that the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Energy is here to listen to this. The Report also needed to emphasize the compensation issues. You have noted how Kenyans have invested both in their households and in their manufacturing industries. When it comes to the compensation timelines, it is a nightmare. However, when you have not paid your bill even as little as Kshs3, 000, the rate of disconnection is higher than the rate of compensation. In case of eventuality, it is very low. I urge the Committee to try, on the different Bills that they look forward to proposing and ensure that Kenyans are compensated as per the current value. It should also factor in all the inflation rates. At the same time, the lead time that is needed to ensure that these compensations are done on time. When the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Hon. Chirchir, appeared before this House last year, I had the privilege to ask him the question of the supply of transformers. Kenyans are paying. My current quotation of Kenya Power is Kshs3 million. I am expected to pay. There are no negotiations of 50 per cent. The Kshs3 million is just the cost of supply. The Value Added Tax (VAT) and the other charges are not included. That will total to around Kshs4 million. You are expected to pay but there are delays in the supply of transformers. As I was saying, when I asked the Cabinet Secretary last time, he indicated that there were procurement challenges and delays. However, one thing that is unfair with Kenya Power is you only become their client the time you are paying or committing your funds to a supply that you need. However, the level of commitment when they are going to supply and deliver that transformer to your homestead becomes a challenge. The issue of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been mentioned. I agree with the proposal of alternatives to power including solar systems which are cost- effective. We urge KRA to zero-rate the solar power products so that we can have a lesser cost of productivity. I can see my Chairperson of the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, Sen. Osotsi, is requesting some time so that we go to our Report on water"
}