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{
    "id": 494961,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/494961/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 180,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. ole Kenta",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 420,
        "legal_name": "Richard Moitalel ole Kenta",
        "slug": "richard-moitalel-ole-kenta"
    },
    "content": "When we talk about national Government providing or being in charge of water resources, it is a very important thing. This is because most of our water resources actually cross-cut counties. Whereas we believe that counties from which these waters emanate should also benefit, we should ensure that this resource is shared. In fact, the establishment of an agency for the management of water resources is very important. This Bill has actually proposed many authorities which are going to be of use. They will also ensure that these water resources are properly managed and well distributed. I would like to mention a very important thing about this Bill, which is the Water Sector Trust Fund. It is important because when you look at Clause 1(1)(2), you realize that the objective of the Fund is to ensure that the marginalized communities are able to access water. This will ensure that the community level initiatives for the stable management of water resources and development of other resources in rural areas are considered. I believe this Fund is going to address all people in arid and semi- arid areas. Water problems have actually been the cause of conflict in those areas. This is something we all ought to support when the Bill comes for amendments. The other important thing is that, because the national Government is the custodian of water resources, it needs a very strong national outfit which is in line with the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation. This will ensure that it carries out its objectives. We need an organization that has capacity, know- how and experience when it comes to provision of water to all Kenyans. Whereas many people did not know beyond the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation, we cannot avoid it. We just need to ensure that it is cleaned so that we have an organization. When you talk about water harvesting and storage, it is important that we save the water that flows during rainfall that in most cases goes to waste. We have not been able to achieve much when it comes to harvesting water. In some countries where there is no rainfall at all, this kind of harvesting has become very useful to those countries. I believe that if we can have a professional way of doing these things, we shall be okay. We should actually have that and have water acts that are going to support the water systems in the whole country. When you look at the county, its capacity is very minimal. As much as we would want to say everything to these counties, where do we get resources to build very expensive water works worth billions of shilling? We need to have that national touch and control over these water works and resources. We also have the issue of standards. Water is very sensitive and if it is contaminated at any one stage then it will mean that it will cause a lot of damage to the country maybe through waterborne diseases. I also believe that water standards need to be regulated by a national authority which ensures that water standards in Kenya are uniform and they should measure up to the safety requirements. It will not be good if we leave it to the counties because we have seen some of them using chalk instead chlorine for water treatment."
}