Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 401072,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/401072/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 125,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "to fix the collapsed trunk line within the shortest time possible since they had got some of the funds from the World Bank (WB). However, since the Authority learned of this, the repairs have started and it may take two-and-a-half months to repair that spillage. So, Mr. Speaker, Sir, there are obvious questions about what particular steps have been taken; and as I have said, the visits were done and NEMA did a press conference to warn Kenyans living along rivers Nairobi, Galana and Sabaki not to use the water for domestic purposes. The questioner also asked how the alert will be enforced, and it has been enforced by the Directors of Environment and Public Health Officers of Kiambu, Nairobi, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Taita Taveta and Kilifi through awareness on the impacts associated with contaminated water. Lastly, he also wanted to know, because there are several public facilities –and I would like to cite Fourteen Falls – where young school kids go for sightseeing, where food is cooked and farmers are using the water to grow crops. He wanted to know how the alert is being enforced to ensure that Kenyans do not become victims. Apart from the closure notice issued by Kiambu County Government, the County Director of Kiambu is continuing to educate members of public to stop using the water. What is the nature of the pollutants? It is raw domestic sewage from a broken sewer trunk. What rivers are affected? I have already said that it is Rivers Nairobi, Athi, Galana and Sabaki. What are the likely impacts? The likely impacts are the water borne diseases like typhoid and cholera and, luckily, cholera has not yet been reported. However, so far, we have not received any complaint associated with such contamination. Who is responsible? The responsible companies are Athi Water Services and Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company. What is the solution? The solution is to reduce the time of two-and-a-half months, because for one company which has been assigned, it will take two-and-a-half months to repair that spillage. But the recommendation here is that there should be more contractors on site so that the time taken will be reduced in order to stop that spillage. Also, we should explore diversions, which is also not very good because when it rains, those diversions will still be swept back to the rivers. During the alert period, the water services board and relevant water service companies should explore alternative sources of domestic water for people living along the contaminated rivers. The recommendation is that this issue should be treated as a disaster and all efforts should be made to ensure that the sewer trunk line is repaired in the shortest time possible. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is the Statement we received. I know it is a very grave situation and I would like to bring it to the attention of the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir."
}