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{
    "id": 209169,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/209169/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 223,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Arungah",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 292,
        "legal_name": "Julius Odenyo Arungah",
        "slug": "julius-arungah"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this chance August 14, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3159 to support this Vote. Appreciation does not cause any constipation. I would like to add my voice to my colleagues who have commended the Ministry for a wonderful job done. I would be failing if I do not express my personal gratitude and that of the people of Khwisero for whatever the Ministry has done in that area. Majority of the markets and secondary schools have now been connected with electricity. We are truly grateful for this. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as we commend the Ministry for what it has done, perhaps, it is not the number of markets they have been able to connect electricity to; it is the number of connections they are going to make, that will make this project sustainable or otherwise. So, I would urge the Ministry, having taken the bold decision to go rural, to go further and ensure that they connect as many customers as possible. In the long run, they should be able to pay the bills. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to comment on what my colleague; Mr. Raila has said. It is true that if we have to achieve the Vision 2030, I do not see any concrete plan to be able to generate adequate power or energy to meet its requirements. I think the Ministry has been generally obsessed with going for mega projects instead of trying to look for ways and means of going for small, but decentralised schemes that would be more cost effective. We do not necessarily need to do this through Government resources. I think the Ministry would find it worthwhile to make sure there is the necessary legislation to allow the private sector to join the Government so that the necessary investment is made for us to meet energy requirements for Vision 2030. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is a fact that to strick oil is not an issue of luck. You have to invest resources. We appreciate how expensive it is because it is generally acceptable for every ten wells you drill, you may be lucky to get oil in one. However, we can count the number of wells the Ministry has dug over the years. It is true that we have not given emphasis in the area of exploration. I am aware that we have what is called Petroleum Development Levy. It is not clear how this money is used. However, my thinking is that part of this money would be set aside for exploration or invest in National Oil Corporation (NOC). Over the years, I do not think the money has been invested where it should be; generation of additional energy. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, electricity supply tends to concentrate in urban areas. As we all know, only 25 per cent of Kenyans live in urban areas. There are 80 per cent or so who live in rural areas and their energy needs are ignored. I have not seen any concrete plans on the part of the Ministry to find how to encourage the villager on the ground or what they do to come up with good laws that would support their energy requirements. I think we know that 90 per cent of our energy comes from hydro. For as long as we keep cutting trees, without planting others, that affects rainfall which in turn will affect the amount of water we get. That means reduced electricity. I think big companies, like KenGen, will find it worth their while to make a token investment in order to ensure that the villagers are supported to grow trees that will provide for energy needs. They could also go further than that because 90 per cent of the firewood actually goes to waste. I think it is the duty of the Ministry to encourage people at the village level to use energy-saving jikos in order to conserve our forests."
}