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{
    "id": 707233,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/707233/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 222,
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    "content": "SGR. It could have cost a fraction of the cost of the SGR but we do not want to go that way. We like experimenting things and that is why that road is still in that condition. Kenyans are still experiencing the kind of nightmares they used to experience. So, we need to have our priorities right at the national level. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, county governments also need to be serious. We have been having a lot of engagements from the CoG. The whole issue is that they want to exercise their function over all the roads minus those that are basically under the national Government. We need to develop and build roads. What is being seen here mostly is the money for maintenance. What Kenyans are being charged through fuel levy is what is seen by most Kenyans to be going directly to the roads; that is Kshs60 billion or so which is being handled by the Kenya Roads Board and that is what everybody is targeting. That is why county governments want all Class C roads and below to be under their control and several authorities disbanded. At the end of the day, we will end up with the same issues we are in. They want to carry out functions yet they are not ready to be oversighted. We will end up with the same issues that we are in. Someone is given functions, but he or she is not ready to be oversighted. When audit reports come out, they rubbish them and blame the systems. We have to gradually develop our counties in terms of capacity, but also make sure that the monies allocated to the counties are used properly, especially this important sector. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in the case of the national Government that gives the construction money, counties are expected to set aside money for construction of roads from the Kshs3 billion allocated to them. However, the national Government has a budget of about Kshs100 billion which is supposed to be used equitably to construct roads throughout the country. The re-classified of roads is futuristic. Roads and links that are missing are planned and classified accordingly. A non-existent road is given Class ‘A’ because of the function it is expected to perform. That is futuristic planning, but we expect them to develop the roads equitably across the country. I will not miss to thank the national Government for opening up the northern part of the country. It has expended some substantial amount of money, not less than Kshs40 billion, to construct the road from Isiolo to Moyale, which now is fully constructed. Just last week, the last mile connectivity was launched. I would like to thank the national Government on behalf of the residents of Marsabit County and beyond because that road opens up a big market in Ethiopia to all Kenyans. In the same breath, I urge the national Government to develop similar links, for example, from Isiolo, Modogashe, Wajir, Mandera and Garissa-Liboi. These roads will provide for quick movement of goods and persons within the country. God willing, if a country like Somalia stabilizes, that road will be of international importance. It will link us to other ports, for example, in Mogadishu and Kismayu. We will be able to import goods from other countries through such ports. I would also like the Government to implement some concepts like the Lamu Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) project which is an idea that has existed for some time. I do not know whether it will take off because countries like Ethiopia have already decided to construct their own rail system through Djibouti. Rwanda is constructing hers through Tanzania while South Sudan is not interested in doing any The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}