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"id": 142557,
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"content": "Kajiado, Machakos, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Mwingi, Kitui, Laikipia, parts of Nyeri, North Eastern Province, Upper Eastern and Kilifi are equally in danger. Power generation has consequently been compromised. This is because about 70 per cent of our electricity generation is hydro-based. KenGen has closed Masinga Dam due to low water levels. This will negatively impact our manufacturing and worsen unemployment. The Government has taken some steps, but it is clear that more needs and must be done. The Ministry of Water and Irrigation has embarked on drilling boreholes across the country. In Nairobi, 50 boreholes are expected to be complete and running in low income parts of the City by the end of next month. By next week, 15 boreholes will be fully operational. The Ministry has also installed 450 tanks in the slum areas. Over the last 12 months, the Government has drilled 200 boreholes across the country targeting seriously affected areas. Many water kiosks and cattle troughs are also being constructed. The Government has also invited owners of 500 private boreholes, starting with Nairobi, for negotiations on sharing with neighbours. We have stepped up water distribution through water tankers. In the last financial year and in anticipation of this problem, the Ministry procured an additional 15 water tankers and distributed them to Nairobi, Tana Delta, Kwale, Ijara, Turkana, Garissa, Wajir, Kitui, Mutomo, Nanyuki, Nakuru and Samburu. The Ministry has also contracted 10 private water tankers to improve on water distribution in Nairobi. We are reviving eight rural water schemes near Nairobi. These include, Gatundu, Ndarugu, Kariminu, Ruaka, Kiambu, Githunguri, Kikuyu and Ongata Rongai water supplies. This will offload consumers in these areas from the Nairobi City water system. The Ministry of Agriculture has already secured a duty waiver on maize imports. It has an adequate plan for distribution of seed and fertilizers to ensure that farmers have the right seeds and fertilizers for any rains. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ministry is ready to roll out irrigated farming with about 40,000 hectares ready to put into use by the end of next month. The Ministry of Energy is importing 1.25 million energy saving bulbs which will help the country to save 50 megawatts. By mid next month, the Ministry will commission 22.5 megawatts of heavy oil powered plants in Nairobi. It will install a 17 megawatts, medium speed, diesel power plants in Rabai next month; 17 megawatts in September and 49 megawatts in October. This will add up to a total of 88.3 megawatts by October. Between October and November this year, the Ministry will initiate a waste-sheet recovery boiler at Rabai to add some 6.7 megawatts. What I have spelt out are only short-term measures and a temporary solution to what is building up as a permanent rain, water and food problem. We are taking the following additional measures:- (i) Sensitization of citizens on effective and sustainable use of water. (ii) Desilting of the existing dams, water tanks and construction of additional ones before the onset of rains. (iii)Providing emergency food supplies to most vulnerable members. (iv) Sensitizing the public against harvesting and selling of green maize. (v) Emergency relief and compensation to livestock farmers in affected areas and equipping health facilities to respond to emergencies. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in that regard, we are providing to the Ministry of Livestock Development Kshs750 million to purchase livestock which are in"
}