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{
    "id": 1451270,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1451270/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 117,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Tabitha Mutinda",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "“A person shall be eligible for registration as a fire and rescue services professional if such a person- (a) has a degree, diploma or certificate in a fire and rescue services course from a recognized institution in Kenya or equivalent qualifications from a recognized foreign Institution” It is good that the qualification is specific to the role of the service that is supposed to be offered. It is specified that it is supposed to be a fire and rescue services course from a recognized institution, which is very important. I am citing Clause 18 of this Bill because we have seen and heard that even in Nairobi, the people in the fire department have a different line of professionalism. For example, we have people who have done theology and librarian work and they are in this profession. When this question was posed by the Senator of Nairobi, the feedback was that we need someone who has done theology to offer guidance and counselling. However, you agree with me that also there is a psychiatrist certification, either a degree or diploma level, that offers the same counselling services for the victims who have been affected. So, what is the business of someone who has done theology or a librarian in the front line of rescue services? You cannot compare that person with someone who qualifies for a fire and rescue services course that has been attained in the right and recognised institution. So, Clause 18 (a) is great and well put. I have also seen there is a clause for funds. It raises questions because of where we are in terms of having more money in different institutions. Today, the National Assembly is on the Supplementary Budget of extreme budget cuts after the Finance Bill 2024/2025 failed to go through. Therefore, if we advocate for more bodies and more funds, where will these funds come from? With the massive budget cuts, as a country, the focus is less on lessening the budgets that are in place. We have these departments within the county levels. We should tell the county governments to work on increasing their Own Source Revenue (OSR). It is something that we have spoken about. Soon, the Committee of Finance and Budget will be amending the Division of Revenue Bill. It cannot be Kshs400 billion. Yes, it can be depending on the decision of the voting of the Members, but if we are at a point of budget cuts, then even the Division of Revenue, there is need to accept that counties will be affected. Therefore, OSR should be the main focus for the county governments, so that even the fire department, can have the resources that they need. What are some of these resources? A skill is a resource. When the personnel in this particular department have continuous training, it sharpens their skills and makes them offer better services. Apart from the tangible assets like the machinery, skills are very key. It is one thing for someone to have the machinery, including the big lorries that we equipped with the materials like the water, among others that are needed. However, the personnel handling that particular machinery needs to have the prerequisite skills. We have seen in other service professions, whereby there is always certification of the different courses or specializations that require continuous training. I am just a bit disappointed because the sponsor of the Bill has just left the chamber and I do not know who will take notes of the amendments to this Bill. 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."
}