Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 157340,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/157340/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 413,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The effect of that crisis is beginning to be felt by having fewer arrivals in terms of tourism and getting other local problems that were not there before this crisis began. So, let us tell our people the truth – that the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, His Excellency the President talked about looking for alternative sources of energy. If the long rains do not do as well as is apparently the case, we can imagine the water levels in Masing Dam and other dams coming down. It will become difficult when the Capital City of Nairobi, and other cities, have to face electricity rationing; hon. Chepkitony was arguing about water rationing even in the City itself. The moment we begin to ration electric power at a time when we can do with a lot more power generation, this will have the gross effect of affecting our economy negatively. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we have spent some very good time listening to wonderful contributions by Members of Parliament. I have actually been looking at all the contributions, with some not being very clear on the challenges that face us, but everybody has the feeling that all has not been well. You saw today, for the first time since history began, the Prime Minister taking the Floor, in accordance with the revised Standing Orders, and being able to address the country and the challenges that hon. Members had to put to him. This is a new one. This is the new Kenya that we are talking about – where we are going to be absolutely transparent in the way we conduct business. The reform agenda was clearly elaborated by the President in his contribution when he opened this august House. Therefore, let us help him. I remember, for instance, he said that we are going to have to do some supplementary business, because we have to import food in the short-term. In fact, the figure he quoted was about Kshs8.5 billion that we require in order to import food immediately. He felt that we should support that effort in the Supplementary Estimates. I am happy that this House has already met His Excellency the President halfway by approving the Supplementary Estimates ahead of the main Budget in June. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I think we are all set. Hon. Members have spoken very clearly on the need to have a new Constitution. I want to congratulate the new Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, Mr. M. Kilonzo, and wish him well. It is good that he said he is going to consult even his predecessors – Ms. Karua and Mr. Murungi. He may not have to look as far back as hon. Charles Njonjo, because I heard him look at the list of his predecessors, including the distinguished son of this soil, the late Tom Joseph Mboya, who were there before him. I think the Minister is energized, and we all have to realize that it cannot be Mr. M. Kilonzo alone. It has got to be all of us. I applaud the work of the Parliamentary Committee, under the able Chairmanship of Mr. Abdulkadir and his Deputy Chairman, Mr. Ababu Namwamba, who are trying to fast-track the formation of those institutions that we need to put in place, namely, the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC), the Independent Boundaries Review Commission (IBRC) and the independent court that is supposed to arbitrate in case of difficulties arising."
}