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{
    "id": 497454,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/497454/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 57,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Limo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1915,
        "legal_name": "Joseph Kirui Limo",
        "slug": "joseph-kirui-limo"
    },
    "content": "monopoly for Kenya Airways. They have enjoyed a lot of monopoly and have been charging exorbitant fares due to lack of competition. Controlling fares is not a solution. A long term solution in economic terms is to ensure that there is a proper balance between the demand and supply of air transport. The reason fare is very high is that when you reach the airport, it is either Kenya Airways or you remain in Nairobi. Many other challenges which we need to look at in the air transport include the issue of ensuring that the airports are all over the country. If you provide a route like Thika Road with only one bus and you say that it must move from Nairobi to Thika without stopping in between, many people will be willing to go by that bus, but because it does not stop on the way, say in Githurai, Kahawa and Ruiru, it will be difficult for the bus to get enough passengers. Imagine Nakuru does not have an airport yet so many businesses are going on there. You cannot use air transport to Nakuru. You cannot use air transport to a very important town in this country which produces the largest quantity of tea, that is, Kericho. We had an airstrip, but it is no longer working. If we come up with airports and airstrips which are properly managed, then this country can really get good air transport. It will be economical because you will get many passengers. We also have to look at the inefficiencies which are in this country, especially with regard to reaching the airports. If you travel by air to Kisumu, you will end up using two hours on the road to Jomo Kenyatta Airport. By that time somebody who left Westlands by road will be past Nakuru. We also need to look at the challenges which are facing the airlines which include traffic jams. We need to provide proper roads that link to the airports. We also need to ensure that the airport is efficient so that when you reach the airport, you take less time to connect. We also need to look at the way the staff who are working for the airlines handle their passengers. Many times you can be delayed at the airport and the only thing you get is a word of sorry for the delay. There is the issue of identification. We were very surprised when Senator Wetangula was tossed round to the extent that it delayed the departure time by almost three hours. It does not make sense, especially when the two hon. Speakers were there to say that hon. Wetangula is a Member of this House. We need to look at the retraining of these staff. It is worrying that if Members of Parliament are handled like this, then, it is going to work in a negative way for the well being of the passengers. Finally, we also need to make sure that our airlines are safe. Regulations should be put in place to ensure that the servicing and renewal of aircraft are undertaken. I wish to support the Motion. I wish the hon. Member could amend it to read “Liberalization of the air transport.|”"
}