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{
    "id": 1451238,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1451238/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 85,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Abass",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13587,
        "legal_name": "Abass Sheikh Mohamed",
        "slug": "abass-sheikh"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to move that the Fire and Rescue Services Professionals Bill (Senate Bills No.55 of 2023), be now read a Second Time. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the principal objective of the Bill is to ensure the delivery of high-quality, professional and standardized fire and rescue services across all counties through the regulation of fire and rescue services professional in Kenya. This is geared towards reducing public safety, protecting lives and property. The importance of the Fire and Rescue Services Professionals Bill (Senate Bills No.55 of 2023) cannot be overstated. These men and women risk their lives every day to protect our lives and minimize the devastation impact of fire accidents and emergencies. As you are aware, this country has faced many incidents of fire. A few months ago, we had the worst fire incident witnessed in Kenya. It was the most tragic fire disasters occasioned by a gas explosion in Embakasi. Had we enough people trained and regulation in place, we would have minimized that disaster. If we had well-functioning fire and rescue services sector, then things would have been minimized. This calls to action for us legislators to put in place the necessary framework and resources to ensure that all incidences can be prevented, and that they do not occur or be minimized fully. Mr. Speaker, Sir, having said that, as you are aware, the fire and disaster issues are devolved. However, facilities are foretaste in most of the counties. Emergency preparedness is not there. If you look around Parliament today, God forbid, but if there will be any fire, you can see there are no vehicles or no facilities available within reach of this Institution. In the past, we used to have fire vehicles stationed next to the administration and rescue services and small tanks for fire extinguishers in every place. However, you will hardly see anything to do with the fire services or anything for rescue services or emergency issues as you approach this building. Mr. Speaker, Sir, there is also no properly trained personnel in this country. We have a small training institute for the Nairobi City County. However, that is not fully functional. Therefore, this Bill will ensure we have regulated services and be able to control emergencies on fire. Some of the most ugly incidents that took place in this country beside the one in Embakasi, in 2001, there was a fire outbreak in a certain school in Ukambani called Kyanguli Secondary School where 60 students lost their lives. Similarly, a fire occurred in Bombolulu Girls in Kwale, where 25 students lost their lives. In 2011, massive fire at Mukuru-Sinai caused by oil leakage from a Kenya Pipeline Company tanker resulted in over 100 deaths. In Nakumatt Downtown in 2009, there was an uncovered generator that led to a fire and loss of 25 lives. The fire also destroyed properties worth millions of shillings. In 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."
}