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{
    "id": 449291,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/449291/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 233,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Bunyasi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2511,
        "legal_name": "John Sakwa Bunyasi",
        "slug": "john-sakwa-bunyasi"
    },
    "content": "neighbouring countries. So, I would really urge the Government to ensure that the railway line is constructed all the way through to the border with Uganda, so that we can move goods rapidly through our territory. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, as we talk about this project, let me point out the fact that my people in Nambale are concerned about social issues, especially with regard to where the railway lines have passed without any provision for rail line crossings on people’s small farms which are rendered unusable. We are going to get a second line running parallel to the old line. Therefore, these issues are going to be exacerbated. I would urge that, in looking at the environmental and social assessments, the process be compassionate and be done in the modern way. It must recognise the lifestyles of the people. They are not the same as when that railway line was first built a century ago, when whole tracts of land were empty and when the colonialists did what they liked. Given our current laws, I expect to get a lot of resistance in law courts, if that aspect is not looked at carefully enough. Lastly, we should not saddle the Kenya Railways Corporation further until they get the standard gauge railway with an above cost railway; because it will never become profitable and the Government will continue sinking money into it. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, as I conclude, I would urge the Budget and Appropriations Committee – which is indeed a very competent team – that they must do something about the fact that the Supplementary Estimates come at the last minute of the financial year. So far, we have got more than one such Supplementary Estimates. We should ensure that the distortions that the Chairman ably articulated are corrected. Otherwise, we will remain a House of lamentation without any changes to the situation. Thank you."
}