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"id": 1490482,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1490482/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 13165,
"legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
"slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
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"content": "I celebrate these committees more specifically in this Report. I have only about two or three comments that I want to make, specifically on the Committee recommendations that have been made on what now will be the mediated version of this Bill. Madam Temporary Speaker, I, first, want to appreciate that this is a very important piece of legislation. You understand that in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) manifesto, we made a promise to make water available to as many citizens of our Republic as possible. Having made that promise, we came to the realisation that it was going to take extremely long for the Government of Kenya, either national or county, to get to the last mile of water provision to the citizens of this republic. Thus, there was need for better thinking on how to better organise the water sector to ensure that we conform it to the needs of our people. This is by matching the demand to the realities of funds that are scarce and it is not possible to reticulate this water to all our citizens. The thinking that went to this Bill right from the onset, which I see now being confirmed in this particular mediated version of the Bill, is to create powers for various contracting agencies through our water service companies in our counties. This is to ensure that they have the power to enter into contractual obligations with people who have the resources to guarantee that this service is available to citizens. Madam Temporary Speaker, of course, it will be at a fee. This is because there are many parts of the country where people are willing to pay for this water. Unfortunately, if it is unavailable, it does not matter. Even if you have money so long as that water is not available, there is nothing that you can do. I appreciate that this mediated version has gone to the basic levels, including disagreeing even on a simple term such as the definition of what will be a bulk water service provider and their relationship with the contracting authority. It has defined it into two. Remember, I mentioned earlier in my initial comments that what I appreciate about our mediation exercises, is that they help both Houses of Parliament to appreciate that there are two levels of government. Initially, the Bill only had the definition of the contracting authority with the mindset of a national Government. Our Committee went on to specify and introduce the aspect of- “At the county level, the county government, the county agency, or the county corporation which intends to have its function undertaken by a private party.” Appreciating that even our county governments will have the power. We need to grant them the authority to enter into these contractual obligations, so that they provide water to their citizens without much of a struggle. The second thing that I want to spend a little time on, is the issue of the operation of water works. When an investor, through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), has conducted public participation and consulted with the regulatory board and the relevant county government whose area and jurisdiction of water works is located, they are allowed to, first of all, engage the citizens. As per our Constitution, this is a cardinal principle. If you want to commit citizens of the Republic to any long-term engagement, especially one that will involve them parting with their resources, it is important to have their voice. 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."
}