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{
    "id": 73998,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/73998/?format=api",
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    "content": "boards on the Minister. When I took over the Ministry in 2008, the former Minister had established seven water services boards. I established one water service board called Tanathi Water Services Board. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Rift Valley is served by five water services boards and these are: The Lake Victoria South Water Services Board which is headquartered in Kisumu, Lake Victoria North Water Services Board which is headquartered in Kakamega, Rift Valley Water Services Board which is headquartered in Nakuru, Northern Water Services Board which is headquartered in Garissa and Tanathi Water Services Board which is headquartered in Kitui. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, looking at these, you see that it is very difficult indeed, to deliver services to people in Kericho, Eldoret and other places. It is upon this realization that I have held several meetings with leaders from that region and we have decided, as is the Government policy, that we need to establish more water services boards so that we can bring services closer to the people. What the hon. Members are asking for is not difficult indeed to implement because as you have heard, it has been very difficult for people to get to the headquarters due to the distances. Therefore, I have put in place a task force that has already started its work to ensure that we will put at least four more water services boards that will take into account the counties. We have also said that we will be able to go out to the people and see how convenient it is to them so that whenever they need these services, they are able to come to our offices. The one that caught my attention, for instance, is the Northern Water Services Board which is based in Garissa, where you would expect somebody to come from North Horr to Garissa for services. Surely, that is not bringing services closer to the people. Therefore, having held these meetings with hon. Members of Parliament and leaders from these regions, we are going to put four more services boards as I said, taking into account how these counties have been now aligned and to ensure that by the budget of 2011/2012, we can have these boards in place so that the budget will take into account these water services boards. Therefore, the Ministry accepts and supports this Motion in its entirety. Hon. Members have talked about the water service providers. It has not been easy to educate people on how the water service providers or water companies work. The Water Act of 2002 gives authority to the water services boards. We have also put in place officers who will educate people on the use of water. It is important that we, as the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, that does the regulation, ensures that people get water for domestic use, livestock, irrigation and hydro-power. Therefore, I do not have to belabour that point because we have already taken the necessary action to ensure that the water services boards are increased in the country and are gazetted as required before the next financial year. With those few remarks, I beg to support the Motion."
}