HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 1490477,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1490477/?format=api",
"text_counter": 290,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wamatinga",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13582,
"legal_name": "Wahome Wamatinga",
"slug": "wahome-wamatinga"
},
"content": "need to come up with smart meters, smart and intelligent water reticulation system and water leakage system as is with gas and oil pipeline. Madam Temporary Speaker, if we achieve this, some counties will save up to 70 per cent of the water that they harvest. We know that in the wake of the climate change, our rivers and our groundwater is reducing day by day. This calls us to ensure that we have a more pragmatic approach that will ensure that the water that we harvest is not only used prudently but also accounts for each and every drop. It is also not lost to us that most households still use untreated water not fit for human consumption. That being the case, this enhanced and renegotiated Bill seeks to highlight how we can approach this and ensure that the issues raising challenges have been addressed. As a country, the biggest challenge that we face in water reticulation is especially by counties in the northern part and the coastal region of Kenya. They do not have the advantage that the counties in the central region, the mountain areas and other water catchment areas like Rift Valley have. That being the case, it is the responsibility of every citizen of this country to ensure that every drop of water we can put our hand on is used properly. Madam Temporary Speaker, how can that be achieved? We know counties such as Nairobi, Thika and other counties surrounding the big rivers that flow into the ocean have been heavily contaminated by effluent discharged into the rivers. That is why when the Kenya Kwanza regime assumed power, we formed the Nairobi River Commission. The Commission was supposed to handle the issue of water pollution, river contamination and most importantly, to ensure that the riparian area is protected. If protected, we can not only protect life, but also ensure that most of the diseases caused by the pathogens transported by water are addressed. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is also not lost to us that most of the counties that lie in the lower part of the country have many disadvantages. As much as all the rivers flow into the ocean, by the time the water gets into those counties, it is heavily contaminated. Therefore, coming up with a way of changing that approach requires laws that are not only dynamic, but laws that also address issues of how we use our water, discharge the affluent and treat that water before it is consumed. Therefore, promoting bulky water supply in multiple counties must be looked into. I am happy to note that there is an intention by the current Government to construct the high grandfalls dam that will have multi-purpose function. One, it will address the perennial fronts that affect the lower counties, like the Tana River, whose Senator is sitting here. Those counties that are on the lower side of the country lose lives and property every couple of years because we have no control once the rivers burst their banks. We will have solved that problem by constructing high grandfalls dam, one, we will have floods controlled and two, additional supply of 1,000 megawatts of reliable electricity. On top of that, we will have multiple counties enjoying water for irrigation. Madam Temporary Speaker, embracing modern technology and promoting governance has been one of the biggest challenges. Why is that so? Most of these water works development agencies, including the water service providers have been run by a 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."
}