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{
    "id": 385584,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/385584/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 191,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Machage",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 179,
        "legal_name": "Wilfred Gisuka Machage",
        "slug": "wilfred-machage"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, indeed, looking at the document that has been tabled here today, Kiambu is number two on the list of the best endowed areas in this country, having 909.8 kilometres of tarmac road, which is about 7.1 per cent. It is second only to Nairobi, which is 10.3 per cent. When you look at areas like Marsabit, Migori and so on, with zero per cent of tarmac road, really, is it not important that we say the truth and call a spade a spade and not a big spoon? Here is a situation where we are talking about equitable distribution of resources. The road network has a proportion that is direct to other development in the community. Schools, hospitals, electricity networks and water pipes will always be built along the roads and so on. So, if you have a poor road network distribution, all these other factors are hit. With the amendment proposed by Sen.(Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o, it is a shame that the rail network that we have in the country is only that which was developed and established by the colonial masters. Not an inch has been increased since then. Of course, the rail network was only sent to the highlands where the Whiteman lived. The grid with which it was built is obsolete now. Actually there is need for total overhaul of the rail network in this country; not only an establishment of new networks but also an overhaul of the current network which is obsolete. We have what I would call intentional politicalisation of road network development because of the greed to control the economic strength of Nairobi and other big towns of this country. Look at Taveta, there is no road from Taveta to Nairobi. There is no proper road from Isbania, through Narok to Nairobi. So, the produce from that place does not reach the market in Nairobi, so again the Kiambu people can harvest. That is the truth; politicalisation of the road network development, making sure that the commodities that are produced in other areas of this country do not reach the market. This is an intentional, well calculated, well planned and implemented move by the previous governments. We need to make a difference. We need to make a change now that we have gone into a devolution system of government. We have to say the truth. If we hide the truth, then the truth that will be hidden will hit us and hit us very hard. We must make a change of knowing that truly it is only 10 per cent of the 47 counties that take up over 50 per cent of the total roads paved in this country. It is a shame. It is that 10 per cent that control the economy of this country. It is the same 10 per cent that control the best schools in this country. It is the same 10 per cent that controls The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}