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{
    "id": 1451301,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1451301/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 148,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Ogola",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I must also mention the issue of the boards. One of the previous speakers had talked about leaving the Council of Governors (CoG) out of the boards. However, I want to say that it is important that the CoG is represented because fire services are devolved functions in Schedule 4. So, it would be prudent that the CoG are involved because it is the county governments that deal with most of these fire incidents. I am impressed that the Mover of the Bill has singled out the Red Cross Society to be in the board. They were given one slot. In an ideal situation, when we see fire outbreaks or disasters, some entities are always very active on the disaster scene. One of them is the Red Cross Society. I would have loved a situation where we can have even two representatives of the Red Cross Society in that board. The second team I would want to see is the Kenya Medical Services (KMS). I am happy that Sen. Abass has mentioned one slot for KMS, but I would love to see KMS even having two slots. I say this because in all disasters, the people we see on the scenes of these disasters are the Red Cross and the medical fraternity. If there was a chance, I would have loved to see members of the media included as members of that board. Let us flash back on the recent occurrences we have had in this country. They were painful occurrences because of the loss of lives; that is the demonstrations that we have seen in the recent past. Some outstanding professionals came out to stand with the demonstrators. If they were not there, we would probably have lost so many lives. We saw the medics, the Red Cross, the media and lawyers being very active. We would like Kenyans to view the occurrences we have had, even though there were great losses, we must also begin to think about the good side of these occurrences. People were able to come out to exhibit humanity. It is on that note that I suggest that the Mover should think of increasing the membership of the Red Cross and the KMS from one to two and, probably, have members of the media. The media is very critical. They are able to pass information across the country. When there is a fire outbreak, all you need is for the right people to get the information at the right time and the right speed. Once that happens, rescue can be mobilised in a very short time. I also want to suggest that we should begin to think about the curriculum in this country. Due to humanity, our habitation, the nature of our stay and the rise of urbanisation, issues like fire and fire rescue will be part and parcel of our livelihoods. As our children go to school, we should include aspects of disasters like fire in the school curriculum because a fire can break out any time. I must also bring that issue forward. Lastly, as I support this outstanding Bill that talks about our livelihood and humanity. I am here grappling with an idea and I see in our urban centres now, services like water are privatised and probably that makes it even more accessible to people. Should we not also think about privatizing fire and rescue services so that we have partners that can also offer some of those services? I say this because my main objective is the fact that when that finally happens, is there somebody available, even at some cost, to provide--- 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."
}