{"id":371425,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/371425/?format=json","text_counter":490,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Bowen","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":2256,"legal_name":"David Kangongo Bowen","slug":"david-kangongo-bowen"},"content":"THAT, aware that Kenya as East Africa’s largest economy remains a minor in electricity supply, with a low penetration level of about 15%; concerned that Kenya Power, as a strategic national agency, appears to be grossly inefficient in its operations, still having 85% of the population unconnected and facing a fast- growing population at 3% annually; also noting that power outages and surges have become the norm, especially with the onset of long rains, sometimes causing electrical faults that result in fires and loss of property, which is never compensated for by Kenya Power; further concerned that Kenya Power has portrayed a lacklustre approach to handling customer complaints, which leaves customers disadvantaged due to lack of alternative electricity providers, this House urges:- (i) the Government to liberalize power distribution thereby breaking the monopoly of Kenya Power in order to encourage competition, improve efficiency, and reduce the cost of power; and, (ii) Kenya Power to offer compensation to those who have encountered fires and loss of property due to power outages and surges."}