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{
    "id": 209165,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/209165/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 219,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Karaba",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 232,
        "legal_name": "Daniel Dickson Karaba",
        "slug": "daniel-karaba"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this chance to contribute in support of this Vote for the Ministry of Energy. The Ministry of Energy is an example of the very few Ministries in this country which seems to know what development is and what it entails, particularly in maintaining development trends. This is a Ministry that many Kenyans think will save us from poverty in the future and, more so, with the coming up of cottage industries in the rural areas. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Energy has done a lot and we are very proud of its management staff. We are very happy with the way they have responded to the many projects that we have in the country. What we are seeing is the coming up of very many projects in Kenya. We were made to understand that about 195 projects were ready for completion during the last financial year. What we should be told this year is the number of projects that the Ministry is going to complete so that those who have been unable to get any project can be captured. That way, they could have one or two projects before the financial year 2007/2008 ends. We know that most of the projects are in areas where the population is low. That is what used to happen before 2003. I would like to ask the Ministry to consider the factor of population density. Where there are many people, the demand for electricity is high. For that matter, I would wish that those overhead power lines passing over congested villages and markets--- We need to step down power from the high voltage power lines so that it can be supplied to the local markets. That is happening in some parts of this country. I have in mind some places in Kirinyaga District where power lines pass over, but there is no electricity there. I would, therefore, ask the Ministry of 3158 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES August 14, 2007 Energy to carry out a study so that they can come up with strategic plans for areas where the demand for power is high. At the end of it all, of course, we have to pay for it. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we know that most electricity is generated using water from River Tana. It also has its catchment in the Mt. Kenya region. I am, therefore, asking the Ministry of Energy to tap all that water to get electricity. This depends on the rainfall cycle. Therefore, we need to see the Ministry of Energy taking reafforestation of most of the highlands seriously. We realise that most of the Mt. Kenya slopes have been eroded. There is very little happening to prevent the very rapid soil erosion. Most of the soil is washed down stream. In the course of this, we will realise decreased volumes of water in our rivers. We need to see the Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, make sure that reafforestation in catchment areas of River Tana is done. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir but---"
}