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{
    "id": 1425418,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1425418/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 34,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen.Wambua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13199,
        "legal_name": "Enoch Kiio Wambua",
        "slug": "enoch-kiio-wambua"
    },
    "content": "grab the opportunity so that roads in the area can be tarmacked, schools and hospitals can be rebuilt and their children would get jobs. Before we can even begin to think of any form of constructive engagement, I want to throw a few questions out there, specifically to the investor, GBM UK, and the implementing agency, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA). What is the level of public participation in this ambitious project and what is the scope of details that have been made available to the project-affected persons? In what language was the public participation exercise, if any, carried out? Which elected leaders in Kitui and Tharaka Nithi counties have been officially engaged and briefed about this big-deal project? Who has conducted an environmental and social impact assessment on this project and where is the report? Kenyans must refuse to be hoodwinked into embracing projects based on benefits determined by foreigners and local fronts out to exploit our resources for obvious selfish gain. The proposed site of the High Grand Falls Dam lies right in the middle of a rich mineral belt. Who will be the custodian of the mineral-rich soil excavated to create the reservoir? Who will benefit from the minerals extracted from the excavation exercise? Before anyone, either a foreigner or a local contact, speaks to us about the construction of roads, schools, hospitals and the creation of jobs and business opportunities in the project, there are minimum conditions that the people of Kitui and Tharaka Nithi counties must demand. There must be a clear resettlement scheme with full and adequate representation of the project-affected persons. This scheme must meet internationally accepted standards. The project promoters and implementing agencies must go back to the drawing table to initiate an open, verifiable, participatory approach in adopting and rolling out an acceptable social management plan at all the stages of the project lifeline. The ever-controversial exercise of land acquisition and compensation for property and heritage must be exhaustively dealt with before breaking the ground for the project. In this respect, special attention must go to the vulnerable parts to ensure that they are protected from the greed of brokers. While at it, the project promoters must demonstrate in writing that gender issues in development have been adequately taken care of. In this regard, the promoters must take into account the full participation of women at every stage of decision-making, including compensation for land and property, resettlement plan and full participation of women in discussions for the benefit-sharing agreement."
}