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{
    "id": 212038,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/212038/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 203,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Munyes",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister of State for Special Programmes",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 187,
        "legal_name": "John Kiyonga Munyes",
        "slug": "john-munyes"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are so many issues but much of what hon. Members would want clarified are the issues of preparedness, and who is managing disasters in this country. They also want to understand the spread and the catastrophic effects, the costs involved and whether we have the relevant experts. Let me start with the first issue, which is whether we have the tools and adequate resources to enable us respond to this disaster? Let me say that when the tremors happened, it was only the University of Nairobi which had the equipment. We also have another equipment stationed at Kilimambogo. Those two stations were working. We had some other equipment at the Coast, which was not working. Those were the only three stations. I want to say that those are not adequate. So, the Government will provide eight other sets of equipment to enable each province have one set, so that we can have enough equipment in the country in order to be able to detect the effects of tremors in the country. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the issue of damage assessment, I know that it was widespread but not catastrophic. We are going round the country to ensure that we have the cost of the damage in terms of schools and people's property, so that we can assess and know the exact cost of the tremors. Once we have the figure, I will bring it to this House and have it discussed. Concerning the issue of who manages disasters in the country, the Department of Disaster Preparedness is the backbone of this Ministry. I want to tell this House that the department falls under the Ministry of Special Programmes. Mr. Michuki might have issued a statement as the Minister of State for Administration and National Security, because the police are also part of our implementors. So, we should not confuse that statement with anything. It is actually the Ministry of State for Special Programmes which is in charge of disaster management in this country. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the issue of funding, I would like to inform the House that we do not have enough funds in the country to enable us train people to respond to disasters. As I said earlier, we need more resources. We want to, immediately, have seismological units all over the country. An early warning system is in place but, again, it is not adequate. We need, in this country, a national disaster policy, which we have not passed as a House. That is where our weaknesses lie. We must pass such a policy very quickly, to ensure that all these things are catered for. Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir."
}