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{
    "id": 370000,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/370000/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 435,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker we have experienced a number of disasters in this country, including the Budalangi floods that many others have talked about. However, it has not been possible for the Government to put in place mechanisms that would create order, systems and procedures for managing disasters in this country. It is for that reason that I am congratulating the hon. Member who brought this Motion. In the recent past, it was not only Isiolo that was affected. We have had problems of heavy rains across the country. Bungoma, Busia and most parts in the Rift Valley Province were affected. Many houses in the rural areas that are situated in the slopes and around rivers have collapsed. When there is a management team that can be held responsible, then we can plan. These things do not just happen; they are expected. The weathermen warned this country that there was going to be continuous heavy rains but we took no steps. We waited and then many houses collapsed. Many of our roads and bridges were cut off. It was then that we started working on emergencies. I am aware road committees across the country are now working on emergencies, which would have been avoided through good planning. We would not have unnecessarily exposed our people to risks arising from such disasters. I would like to support this Motion and add that the hon. Member who has moved it should act without delay and bring here a Bill in order for us to enact it. We need to put in place regulations and guidelines with regard to disaster preparedness. With regard to Bungoma County, I would like to talk about an issue that affects us, and that has to do with the erection of a dam along River Nzoia. This river has been problematic. The people of Busia and Budalangi have been suffering a lot. Along the river, our people have been affected by crocodiles. For us to deal with this situation we need the construction of dykes. If we had Government thinking and discussing with the people who get affected, it would have moved the people living along the river and put up a dam in the area as opposed to erecting it upstream. You want to move one thousand families in Tongaren area, where do you want to take them? It is only fair that---"
}