Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1490856,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1490856/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 171,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wamatinga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13582,
        "legal_name": "Wahome Wamatinga",
        "slug": "wahome-wamatinga"
    },
    "content": "In Kieni East and Kieni West, we have a proposed Karimenu Dam and Naromoru that was proposed back in the 60s. However, garnering resources and the budget required to come up with those dams has remained a challenge. That can be achieved if we adopt this new approach of public-private partnerships; where we make water a tradeable commodity and ensure that private equity flows into the business. On non-revenue water, some companies have up to 70 percent and that cannot be left unchallenged because, if we can address the issue of non-revenue water, we can generate enough resources to address the issue of equity private acquired. This can only be possible if we have a paradigm shift in the way we think. In other countries, pension funds are invested to develop the infrastructure and ensure that water, both clean and sewage, is addressed. As we address the issue of clean and affordable water, we must at the same time look at what we should do with the sewage water. In many counties, Nyeri County included, most of the areas do not have a functional sewage system. That means that most of the water that is used finds its way back into the rivers again. This is against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), of which Kenya is a signatory. Therefore, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we must address the issue of ability to raise equity and attract investors into the water sector. Some of the water service providers are too small to achieve economies of scale. In the Water Committee, we recommended that we must look at the size of a water company for it to achieve economies of scale. As much as we talk about the issues of governance, it is imperative that we also look at how big it is. For you to achieve a certain magnitude of investment, you must also have a certain number of consumers. Therefore, as much as we talk about this being a devolved function, it is also important we look at a new approach of having regional bodies where counties can merge and have a water service provider that can achieve economies of scale. It is also important to look at the way the boards of management in water bodies are formed. Most of these are people who are appointed because they are politically correct. Most water development agencies and service providers, have become den of corruption because people who are elected as chairpersons, go there to regain what they lost in politics. Moving forward, we must look at the issue of governance, accountability and transparency. We must also look at the issue of being able to generate private equity to invest in the infrastructure, so that we can reduce non-revenue water. At the same time, we should employ smart meters so that we know that the bulk water that has been generated is dispatched and consumed. That must happen for the clean and sewage water. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, one of the biggest challenges, especially in Nairobi City County, is having sewage flowing into the river. That can only be addressed if we account for every drop entering into the household and trying to address the same, but that it must also be treated so that what we discharge back into the rivers does not pollute our environment. The issue of water in some counties has become disadvantaged because of their geographical location. However, by embracing the right technology, water harvesting 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."
}