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{
    "id": 725101,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/725101/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 363,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "One of the key issues within this Bill is that we are now able to define and classify the different roads that were bringing conflict between governors and the national Government. The classifications have gone up to the small feeder roads. However, what Kenyans would want to see is a road that has been done in quality and can be used for 20 years or so. As much as we look at the different authorities in place in the transport sector, many of the roads are done and we do not have a road. We therefore, continue wasting taxpayers’ money. Those who do this business always say that we are better off doing a murram road because they know it is just a matter of pouring the murram and they make their profits. I wish in the Bill, that going forward that there would be a clear amendment that when you are constructing a road, you are given the responsibility to maintain that road before they hand over to either the county government or the national Government. That way, if anything happens within a stipulated period of time, they are able to take responsibility because it is them who did the road. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, they have talked about inter-governmental relationship. I hope the four authorities will be able to work hand in hand. We do not want to have any conflicts when there is a road on a highway that is passing thorough county A, B and C or in terms of compensation. One of the things killing our country is how we as politicians interfere in that compensation. Government pays a lot of money yet the road assist in terms of our economies and market. When we are dealing with land compensation in our country, it is so high that we do not understand why we lack a law to deal with it. We have seen examples where buildings are marked with an ‘X’ because people build on the roads. We also need a law that cautions that if one builds a structure on the road knowing very well it was a road reserve, they do not deserve compensation but because sometimes we fear facing some of these things candidly, people have taken advantage. As we bring in this law, we should support each other and ensure Kenyans have good roads and at the same time they understand that there is a law that says the authority has a responsibility to come and make guidelines. These guidelines should help county governments in deciding whether an approval of an authority will do. At the same time, the national Government should understand there are county governments and therefore, when doing a trunk road, they have a responsibility to sit down together and agree. If that is done, we will have harmony and we will see better roads crossing in the regional counties. For instance, there are roads which have been done from one end of a county to the other. Another example is in Embu where a national road is being done by the governor. All this is because of lack of this legislation. The other issue is the penalties put in place. Sometimes water runs through the road and the road is damaged. We need civic education so that we can know when there is a road passing by, what are the implications if we damage it? Also what are the implications on the contactor who was given the road if he damages the road yet the timeframe he was given has lapsed? It is really important so that Kenyans can know what is lawful and what is not in this. In Clause 100, there are the responsibilities of county governments. The proposed law says that each county government shall within its Area of jurisdiction be responsible 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"
}