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{
    "id": 1500136,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1500136/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 63,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Okiya Omtatah",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sir. I rise to contribute to the statement by Sen. Cherarkey, the great from Nandi County. The quality of cement is important and should not be compromised because cement is shelter. It is everything we have in terms of building homes that are lasting and urbanization, especially in Kenya, where the next frontier is urbanization as a way of combating poverty. We need good quality cement at affordable prices. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this statement comes at a very opportune time for us. I hope that the committee that will look into it will dig in and ferret out whoever is behind cement that does not meet the standards that have been set by the KeBS. These standards are regularly revised and they are up to date. The least any businessman can do to this country is to ensure adherence to the KeBS standards. We have seen buildings collapsing in this country as my fellow Senator who has contributed before me has stated. That is mostly not because of poor design, but poor materials. There might be a problem with workmanship, but materials are key. We must make sure that we have the right material. In this country, when constructions are going on, some contractors have to import cement from their homeland. I always wondered why the Chinese come with their own cement to do certain projects in this country. Is it that the cement made in Kenya is substandard or are our standards not to international levels? Mr. Speaker, Sir, if there are standards that need to be set to achieve higher quality cement that can do specialised jobs like underwater construction and so on, then we need to have those standards set. We do not have to import cement when we have enough raw material to manufacture whatever cement we require. Another important thing is that if the standards are upheld to make sure that the cement in Kenya; be it imported or locally made, meets the international standards. This is the only way we will be in a position to get ourselves into the regional and even international market as net exporters of cement. This is an area of growth and job creation. Therefore, this country needs to focus on this area if we aim to be a manufacturing country. It is with cement that skyscrapers are constructed. When I walk around Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), I do not see a crack. However, when you look at some modern buildings, they already have cracks. You wonder whether it is the quality of cement. More so, the Bunge Tower is already cracked. Was it the quality of cement? Did they bring in some substandard cement or what was it? We need to get this thing answered well and in a timely manner. Going forward, when you go to a shop in any part of this country to buy cement, we want to buy cement that is certified and suitable for modern construction. If you look at the Raila Odinga, or is it Mbagathi Highway, although I still do not know which is the correct name for it, I will consult Sen. Cherarkey baadaye--- You will find that road was done using cement. For those of us who use it, that road has remained 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."
}