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{
    "id": 1569030,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1569030/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 488,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Fafi, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Farah Yakub",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me a chance. I rise to support the Motion in the House on Sessional Paper No.7 of 2024 on National Sanitation Management Policy. This is a policy that has been lacking in our management of sanitation in the country. We support this Motion because of many reasons. Firstly, improved sanitation leads to improved health. Improved health leads to a reduced budget for national health expenses. Most of the diseases that the country is facing now are infectious diseases, which are either airborne or waterborne. These are diseases related to sanitation. Lifestyle diseases are very rare, although they are on the rise. However, if we had an uncompromising and holistic sanitation policy, then the issue of infectious diseases would be the least on our tables today which means our budget for national health could have been reduced. Sanitation levels in our counties are appalling. A case in point: I come from Garissa County, whose Headquarters is Garissa Town. There is a sewer done by the World Bank (WB) to the tune of billions. However, 75 per cent of Garissa Town residents still use septic tanks; they are not connected to this sewer line. The sewer itself is bursting as we speak today. There is a lack of a sanitation policy, which could have led to an Act that would have held people culpable for the effects of sanitation or sewage issues if they were not addressed in Garissa. Inception or consideration of this policy will help cater for such incidents. Seventy per cent of Garissa County uses underground water. The consumption of underground water is subject to the level of sanitation. The majority of people in those areas use pit latrines. Therefore, our consumption of that water could have been of higher standards if sanitation policies in this country were in place. Wajir is a case in point where the water table is very low. Most of the water in Wajir Town originates from underground sources. Sanitation is appalling; 60 years after Independence, Wajir town still lacks a functioning sewer project of a substantial magnitude. I do not know whether it is in existence, but I think it is not there. Therefore, we support this policy because we know the effect it will have on our people and the country. We also know that as a developing nation, we want to reach the level of developed countries. If we want to do that, then the sanitation standards in our country should be higher. If you look at a neighbouring country like Rwanda, you will be shocked by the level of cleanliness in that environment, as they have functional policies and Acts. Our dumpsites in this country do not meet the standards set by the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) Laws. Anyone who feels like dumping something does it wherever they want. County governments often lack functional legislation, or if it exists, it is not enforced to the necessary level. Our hospitals lack incinerators. If you visit our hospitals, you will be shocked to see the number of used needles, syringes, and bandages which have infections lying around there. This National Sanitation Management Policy will help us combat such kind of incidents. It will make this country a healthier nation, provide us with a clean environment, and reduce our national healthcare budget. I submit. I support this Policy, and I hope it is fast-tracked so that we have an act guiding us on that. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}