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"id": 21647,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/21647/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Yusuf Hassan Abdi",
"speaker_title": "The Member for Kamukunji",
"speaker": {
"id": 398,
"legal_name": "Yusuf Hassan Abdi",
"slug": "yusuf-hassan-abdi"
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"content": "Indeed, their action on 18th August was revolutionary as well as historic. I want to congratulate them for putting Kamukunji on a new path and direction. I reiterate my pledge to serve the people of Kamukunji faithfully and forcefully without fear and favour; for the benefit of the people of the constituency; for the progress of Kamukunji and the common good of our people and our country. I have no illusions about the challenges ahead. I take the heavy responsibilities that you have given me with the seriousness that they deserve and with humility and pride. Even in the darkest days of our volatile political history, I never lost the hope that one day, we shall overcome. I never stopped dreaming of a different Kenya. I never stopped dreaming of a Kenya in which all the people who live in it; sons and daughters, would live equal under the law. I also never tired of fighting for democracy for the different society. I will not and I shall not stop fighting for a just and better Kenya. I know that we are not there yet, but we have made some considerable progress and strides towards that goal. Today, we have a new Constitution that protects the rights of all Kenyans regardless of their race, ethnicity, political or religious beliefs and, even more remarkable, is the fact that I do not represent a typically ethnic constituency; but one right in the heart of our capital City of Nairobi, elected by the diverse and cosmopolitan people of Kamukunji. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, however, I regret that thousands of “Kamukunjians” lead a precarious life and in a state of abject poverty. I would like to particularly refer to the slum dwellers of Kiambiu, Majengo, Motherland, Mugunda, Kinyago, Blue Estate, Kitui Village and Galole where they live in appalling conditions made worse by years of neglect. They have no access to clean drinking water, electricity and toilets or worse waste disposal facilities. Lately, they have been severely affected by the run-away cost of living. I would like to ask: Are those residents not Kenyans? Do they not deserve access to basic social services and enjoyment of a decent and dignified life? It is important and urgent that we address the needs of the marginalized communities. In other areas of Kamukunji, the Government has taken the decision to demolish the old City Council houses. While I welcome that and the improvements and benefits that come with a planned development, I call upon the Government to ensure that all stakeholders and, in particular, the current occupants of those houses, be fully involved and consulted and that, the allocation of houses, once the development is finished, must be done in a fair and transparent manner. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, Kamukunji is fortunate to host some of the most dynamic and commercial hubs in Nairobi, including Eastleigh, Gikomba, Muthurwa Market, Jua Kali and Burma Market. However, these key business outlets which provide employment and livelihood to tens of thousands of Kenyans and generate incomes that contribute considerably to our economic development growth have serious infrastructure and social issues and problems. Whole sections of roads leading to and from these trading centres have collapsed and are impassable, causing chronic congestions, loss of time and money. I know the Vice-President and the Minister for Home Affairs, Prime Minister, the two Deputy Prime Ministers and the Ministers of Public Works, Roads and Water and Irrigation have all been to Kamukunji during the by-election. They are well aware of the deplorable state of the roads and have all promised that the Government will address the poor state of roads. I want to remind the hon. Ministers to keep their pledges to the people of Kamukunji. Another issue of critical concern is the lack of opportunities for the youth. The rate of unemployment of our youth in Kamukunji is one of the highest in the country. This is a ticking time bomb. It is imperative that the Government addresses this growing problem of urban joblessness in a comprehensive manner. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would also like to raise the issue of the escalating crime rate in Kamukunji. Incidents of armed robbery and violent attacks are on the increase sparking fear in many parts of the constituency. I would like the police to address this particular problem with increased police posts and police patrols in the most affected areas and especially in the major business centres. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I pledged to give voice to the urban poor and the marginalized people of Kamukunji and champion their democratic and constitutional rights and continue to fight for equity and social justice. Finally, I would have been very wary to support any Government borrowing. However, the joint paper report of the joint committees is a worthy investment. Increased megawatts is increased megapower in terms of energy and development power. A country’s development is predicated on its megapower index. The less electricity and energy you produce, the less developed you are as a country. We will never reach our full potential as a nation economically, if we cannot produce the power to drive our homes, streets, businesses and our industries. I foresee that we will have major improvements in terms of the quality of life of the people of Kamukunji as a result of this investment; improvement in security and improvement in business and trading in Kamukunji, our capital Nairobi and our country. I conclude by fully supporting the Report."
}