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{
    "id": 1425417,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1425417/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 33,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen.Wambua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13199,
        "legal_name": "Enoch Kiio Wambua",
        "slug": "enoch-kiio-wambua"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 52(1) to make a statement on an issue of general topical concern and national importance, namely the mystery shrouding the High Grand Falls Dam in Kitui and Tharaka Nithi Counties. The scramble for and consequent partition of Africa in the 1880s remains the single most cavalier scheme to rob a subjugated people of their wealth, their cultural heritage and their self-worth. The pioneer teams of explorers and missionaries came, discovered us and our rivers and our mountains, and turned our belief systems and social ethos upside down as they laid firm foundations for decades of exploitation of raw materials from the African soil to feed the Industrial Revolution in Western capitals. Painfully, the rip-off continues today with the full backing and connivance of a compromised lot of African leaders, the selfish co-drivers of neo-colonialism. It baffles me that the invasion and plunder and desecration of our resources as in found space nor triggered a process of recourse in past and present lists of crimes against humanity. The proposed High Grand Falls Dam, struggling the two counties of Kitui and Tharaka Nithi is touted as one of the world's biggest hydro and agro-irrigation dams. The reservoir covers a distance of more than 58 kilometres long and 8 kilometres wide. An objective resettlement action plan would put the imminent mass displacement of indigenous populations in proper context. The resultant loss of livelihoods is yet to be quantified. There is zero evidence of any efforts to mitigate the disruption of indigenous cultural heritage and the unparalleled destruction of flora and fauna. This singular project is a perfect example of how compromised, subjugated, impoverished, and poorly represented masses are eternally disinherited in the name of development. The promoters of this project are the quiet type. They hardly ever speak. When they do, they speak very casually and in harsh tones to the project-affected persons about the overwhelming benefits of such a huge project in their midst. They tell my people to 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."
}