HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 204337,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/204337/?format=api",
"text_counter": 261,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Oparanya",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 201,
"legal_name": "Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya",
"slug": "wycliffe-oparanya"
},
"content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following Motion:- THAT, cognizant of the Government's past efforts in mitigating and minimizing the impact of disasters; aware that the National Disaster Operation Centre in the Office of the President lacks the capacity to effectively deal with all types of disasters; alarmed that Kenya has in the recent past been exposed to a variety of disasters including fires, highland malaria, swamp fever, floods, drought, famine, HIV/AIDS, transport accidents and terrorism; leading to loss of human life, economic losses and environmental damage; noting the lack of a policy framework for an effective and comprehensive disaster management strategy and preparedness; this House grants leave to introduce a Bill for an Act of Parliament to establish an autonomous National Disaster Management Authority with the mandate and capacity to harness disaster preparedness and response. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Motion has been on the Order Paper since last year, and the Minister in charge has, all the time, been saying that there is a Bill which is before the Cabinet and, eventually, it will come before this House. But, up to this date, it has not come. That is why I want this House to support me, so that we can enact a law that will deal with disaster management in this country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the topic is highly technical. So, I will make extensive reference to the notes that I have. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, over the years and in recent times, there have been frequent disasters that have increased world over and, more so, in our country. The data that I have gathered indicate that 113 disasters were recorded between 1960 and 1990, resulting to 34,823 deaths in the developed world, compared to 793,616 deaths in developing countries. That reveals that poor nations are more vulnerable to the effects of disasters. The available data also shows that the overall economic loss worldwide increased from US$10 billion in 1960s to US$93 billion in 1980s. Currently, it is estimated at over US$800 billion. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is the responsibility of every Government to protect its citizens against the dangers posed by disasters. That is why I am urging the Government to establish a preparedness plan to enable it to deal with the increasing frequencies of disasters in this country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have the National Disaster Operation Centre which is under the Office of the President. If I go through what that centre is supposed to do, you will notice that the work it is supposed to do is not comprehensive enough to enable it to deal effectively with disasters in this country. The current scenario is that the National Disaster Operation Centre is supposed to maintain watch 24 hours, collect data and information, look at early warning signs,"
}