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{
    "id": 1490467,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1490467/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 280,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, I would like to make four points on the Adoption of the Mediation Committee Report on the Water (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.33 of 2023). I was on Clause 11, where we said that the Water Sector Trust Fund should remain with counties. This is because most of the funding comes from the counties. I would like to inform the House that with the affordable housing programme of the Government, we need water and sanitation. I can give you statistics for the benefit of the House. According to the Kenya Bureau of Statistics (KBS), in 2023, we had 16,265,693 Kenyans in urban areas. This was an increase of 3.81 per cent, because in 2022, we had close to 15.6 million Kenyans that were in urban areas. It means access to water and sanitation will become critical, and, therefore, the intention of the National Assembly to thin the Water Sector Trust Fund was very unfortunate. However, I am happy that they agreed with our proposal that, most of the funding that goes to Water Sector Trust Fund should remain with counties. For instance, my town, Kapsabet, has only a population of 87,000, but access to water is very challenging. The last time a water project was launched was when Hon. Charity Ngilu was the Minister for Water and Irrigation. We use water, electricity and generator. We depend on Keben Water Project, which the Government should start, and Kipkaren Dam, that is almost nearing completion, that will feed water to Mosoriot and Kabiyet towns. Clause 12 on the Water Tribunal is not gainsaid. I agree that you cannot choose your judge. I agree with the decision of both the National Assembly and the Senate, that you cannot choose Members who will sit in the Water Tribunal because they will become biased. The aspect of neutrality should be critical in the water tribunal. On Clauses 6 and 7, I agree on the issue of Water Works Development Agencies (WWDA). We should have a handover. For example, Nandi County is under Lake Victoria North Water Works Agency. However, most projects go to Kakamega and Vihiga counties, yet in Nandi County, we do not benefit. Even on the issue of drilling boreholes in schools and urban centres, these water works--- In reference to water tariffs, I have seen there is a proposal to have private-public partnership. Even on the issue of bulk water sale agreements, we must give the regulator; Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB)--- I would like to repeat what I said yesterday, that there is a place called Chiapas in Mexico, where Coca-Cola is highly consumed because it is cheaper than water. If in our country, water will be more expensive than other beverages, like the ones that the Senate Majority Leader referred to as favourite drinks of some Members in the House, then the society will collapse. In Chiapas, Mexico, and it is on record--- 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."
}