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{
    "id": 603344,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/603344/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 223,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Barua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1529,
        "legal_name": "Ejidius Njogu Barua",
        "slug": "ejidius-njogu-barua"
    },
    "content": "buildings and proper and orderly development of an area. On that aspect, if you move from the City Centre towards Kamulu and Lukenya, you cannot call those areas low or high density areas. People are just buying plots and putting up units without any consideration for planning. So, Nairobi City is becoming an expansive slum. If those areas were properly planned and de-zoning done, they would accommodate more Kenyans and stop the excessive expansion of the City to the rural agricultural areas. The other issue which is considered in the Bill is the issue of open spaces, parks, urban forests and green belts. This has been overlooked over time, and to many Kenyans any open space is to be grabbed. History talks for itself because Uhuru Park and Jeevajee Gardens were on the verge of being grabbed at one time. I am not sure even the old Kenya Bus Station still is still a bus station. Maybe it has been grabbed. We must have an affirmative action to ensure that we have enough and adequate open spaces in towns and our estates, so that we can give breathing space and places for recreation of our children. The other thing that I would like to talk about is the City of Nairobi in terms of the Nairobi River all the way from Westlands downwards. This country has laws on riparian areas. There are three or four laws that I know of. People are constructing on top of streams in Nairobi. So, the real meaning of riparian areas has gone. So, time has come for us to reclaim those areas, so that we can have our wetland eco-systems. On the same issue of environment, I would like to be more emphatic on this. The biggest threat to this urban environment is corruption. We have to put NEMA on the spot this time. Before I even go to NEMA, this Bill does not have an explicit reference to environmental impact assessment (EIA), which is mandatory for new development. Currently, people are getting EIA licences for buildings and development plans. One of the requirements is that the proponent of a development must submit an environmental audit report after the first year of occupation. The EIA reports contain a series of mitigation measures that must be considered. Currently, once a plan is approved and the building is erected, follow up in terms of environmental consideration is completely lost. NEMA here plays a central role. As we aspire to achieve the face of a new Kenya, planners must play a central role in this. When we plan, there are some things that we must consider. One of them is the ecologically fragile eco-system. We must protect our wetlands, forests and also ensure that land is put into the rightful use in this country. Those are the aspects which I suppose should be considered. The Bill also proposes the establishment of a county physical planning forum. My understanding of a forum is a gathering where people share ideas and make proposals on how they can better their lives. I think we are being mean to ourselves. It is not possible for Members of Parliament to participate in the national forum. However, at the county level, we cannot wish away the participation of the Members of Parliament. So, I would like us to consider introducing an amendment to bring into place the provision that Members of Parliament participate in the county physical planning fora. I would like to support this Bill with amendments. I conclude that if we fail to plan, we are planning to fail. I support with reservations. Thank you."
}