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{
    "id": 583617,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/583617/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 261,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "There will be a 7 per cent growth in personal vehicles in this country. Unfortunately, our roads are not expanding. The roads in Nairobi were designed for slow traffic. In fact, historians say that the roads in Nairobi were designed for ox-drawn carriages and not the guzzlers that we drive today. I support this Motion because it proposes certain initiatives that the county and national Government should undertake. I would also urge that as we consider these initiatives, we need to go back to the Nairobi Metro 2030. This is a plan that was developed by the then Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan that was initially headed by Amb. Njeru Githae and, later on, the late Mutula Kilonzo. I have no doubt that the Nairobi City County Government has taken up that plan and that it will make sure that it perfects it and comes up with a better document. However, the most important thing is implementation. We have seen some missteps when it comes to implementation. The country was treated to the charade of what was called the “Kidero drums” which were basically yellow drums that Kenyans woke up to on certain roundabouts. As we go about the recommendations stated in the Motion, let us also ensure the public is involved. We do not want the public to wake up one day and be told that certain things can only happen during the night. There has to be a proper framework for public participation. I am happy that just the other day, the Governor of Nairobi launched a project to declare certain streets one way. Again, Kenyans need to be informed so that it is not a surprise. Our neighbours in Kigali have closed off certain streets to motor traffic. The residents of the city are complaining, but projections are that it is going to open up and decongest the city significantly. Finally, we need to find a solution to the handcarts problem in this city. Politicians are not bold enough to confront it because it provides employment to young people who, otherwise, would have been muggers. However, I wonder whether that is the best form of employment for them. Pushing handcarts along the roads is something which donkeys and horses were made to do. God was clever to create horses and it was to pull those carts. Human beings were created to drive the donkeys and horses and not pull the carts. We need to find a solution to the mikokoteni menace in this country, because it contributes significantly to traffic congestion. If you drive on Mombasa Road, you will find our brothers hanging on the mikokoteni on the wrong side of traffic and you can imagine the kind of ripple effect that that has on the entire nation. We, as the Senate, need to support the governor of this city and those of other counties to come up with innovative programmes to decongest their cities, so that ultimately it is not only Nairobi that is considered a world class metropolis. We would also like Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa and several other county headquarters to be considered as world class metropolises in 2030. I support."
}