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{
    "id": 385702,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/385702/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 104,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "May 15, 2013 SENATE DEBATES 17 Sen. Mositet",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Some of the Senators are commenting that, at least, today we have a Chair who has seen me. So, I am really grateful. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support this Motion. Given what has been happening in our country, I feel that there is something which is not really going on well. Last year and the year before, we were talking about floods and disasters. The Government needs to do something about disasters in this country. We need particularly to form a disaster management authority which will deal with disasters. We should not only have early warning systems, but some measures should also be taken to mitigate when there are floods. A very good example is my county. We have a river whose bridge was washed away during the rains. We were expecting the Government to repair it, but it was not repaired. As a result, transport between Magadi and Nairobi has been cut off. This has been happening for many years, but no action has been taken by this Government. Whenever it rains the Permanent Secretary or other senior Government officials visit the area and promise to fix the problem, but nothing is done on the ground. So, it is high time we had an authority to deal with disasters. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not think dykes will control floods along Tana River. We need to construct dams along this river. We need an authority which will be issuing warnings to our people when the floods are about to happen. It can also advise people on where to put up their homes. So, it is high time we put in place a disaster management authority. A few weeks ago, the Deputy President said that they had formed a disaster management committee which was composed of the Army personnel, Red Cross and other people. But after that, we do know what happened to that team. In fact, the Ministry of State for Special Programmes is well known for coordinating disaster management in this country. It is used as a conduit to swindle public funds. Its Permanent Secretary visited my county when I talked about bridges being damaged and my people being killed by floods. He promised to put necessary measures to mitigate against floods, but we have nothing to show on the ground. Therefore, I support Sen. Zani that we need to a NDMA which will come up with measures to manage all types of disasters, including when buildings collapse hen there are earthquakes or tremors or when we have hunger and drought in this country. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, With those few words, I beg to support."
}