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{
    "id": 494999,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/494999/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 218,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Ogalo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2679,
        "legal_name": "George Oner Ogalo",
        "slug": "george-oner-ogalo"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of this House the clamour by the Council of Governors. The Council of Governors has met our Committee and the governors have been very adamant on the issue of tariffs. I want to go back to that issue of tariffs. If you allow tariffs to be set by county governments, I can assure that when county governments cannot raise money for other functions, they will look for what people must consume and put levies on it, and the first victim is going to be these water services. They are going to put levies on water and will not use those levies in the extension of water supplies but for other functions. So, this House must put its feet down; we must decide that this Bill, and our colleagues in the Senate must agree with us, must be passed with tariff setting remaining a function of the regulatory authority. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I also want to bring to the attention of this House the issue of research and training in water resource management and supply, which is something we have discussed at the Committee level and we have already toyed with the idea of revamping the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) to ensure that it performs more functions than what it does currently. We are even thinking of repealing the KEWI Act so as to provide for a much more elaborate research and training institute in this Bill. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, in general, access to water is a very important thing for life and for our economy. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Devolution and Planning for the small dams and water pans that they have been doing across the country. As people of Rangwe, we are happy that we were able in the last financial year to get seven dams; we are hoping that we are going to get more dams this year. I want to respond to a Member who talked of the design of these dams. Actually, in Rangwe, we are seeing these dams being done very nicely. They are fenced. A cattle trough is provided from which cattle can drink water. A tap is provided for people to collect water and they have even gone further to construct a toilet and a bathroom for those who visit those dams. So, I really thank the Ministry of Devolution and Planning. Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker."
}