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"id": 1501952,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1501952/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wamatinga",
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"id": 13582,
"legal_name": "Wahome Wamatinga",
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"content": "I will not be surprised that this is what the President alluded to, having gotten new information from our development partners, that this company has been inducing the other countries, we had no option but to cancel the deal. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, that to me is a bold decision and true leadership. True leadership is making the decision when you have the necessary information, but not based on the propaganda. We know we are moving in a thin physical space in this country, and the only way to move this country forward, is to embrace public-private partnership. I would like to request my fellow colleagues in this House, that, if we think that we need to do thorough public participation before we embrace any proponent of public- private partnership, then let us enact that and make sure that it is enshrined in the Act. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is also not lost to me that the President spoke about us being more people-centric. I remember he spoke about the Conflict of Interest Bill that is before this House. I also do remember that the President spoke about the housing project. I have had the opportunity of studying and working in Germany for 20 years. During my tenure of working in Germany, where I used to work for International Business Machines (IBM), I had the opportunity to move across Europe. I can tell you what has formed the basis of the strong social structures in Europe is ensuring that they have houses for social purposes. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, what do I mean by that? Barely will you see families in Germany living out in the cold. This is because there is housing for every social class. After the unification of Germany, where East Germany was economically more downtrodden than the West, they came up with affordable housing models that ensured even the people living in East Germany were able to come up with standards. It therefore surprises me when I listen to my colleagues here. We know that there are informal settlements like Mathare, Kawangware and Mukuru-Kwa Reuben. In Nyeri County we have Majengo. When will these people, up and in the line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), live in houses that are decent and connected to sanitation, and are spacious? Unless somebody does not live in this country, opposing affordable housing is a decision that cannot be made by somebody who does not have the social welfare of the people at heart. Kenya is a signatory to the Sustainable Development Goals. One of the requirements is that everybody must have access to affordable and decent housing. This can only be realised if we embrace the affordable housing project. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, lastly, people have lamented about is SHA and SHIF. I would want to invite Members to look at the social structures in Denmark, Sweden and Germany, where everybody, regardless of your social standing and how much you earn, you have access to the most sophisticated medical services. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, my colleagues are lamenting that we are contributing Kshs36,000 per month as Members of Parliament. I cannot compare that to the amount of money that I was contributing, and I am happy because Sen. (Dr.) Murango is here and he knows the number of harambees that we attend every weekend, just to support people who are not able to pay their bills. What we need to do is address the teething problems that are there. 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."
}