Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 764979,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/764979/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 197,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Dr.) Oundo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13331,
        "legal_name": "Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo",
        "slug": "wilberforce-ojiambo-oundo-2"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker for giving me an opportunity to contribute to this Motion. Indeed, urbanization, as many have said, is the precursor for development. No country in this world has developed without urbanisation and I think the policy on urban development is critical because urbanisation goes hand in hand with development even though urbanisation as a concept is much wider as opposed to mere development. Indeed, when you look at the demographic statics in this country you realize that there has been rapid urbanisation and it is bound to continue. With the dwindling fortunes and opportunities in the rural areas, it is obvious that most young people will harbor the need to come to urban areas so that they exploit the opportunities. I hope this policy will enable us address the challenges we have in the primate and secondary urban centres in this country. I also hope that in the fullness of time we will start a deliberate process of decentralisation so that we minimise the pressure we have placed on primate cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu and Eldoret so that the facilities that are available in these cities can as well be available in the smaller cities. This will enable the young people seeking urban life to live in those urban areas. Of course, we have challenges and I do believe the managers in charge of urban management should be in a position to manage those issues. The issue of slums in urban areas is and has been a worrying trend for many years. We have implemented programmes that aim at reducing slums but it seems we have not been able to solve the problem. Normally whenever there is political instability many of the young people who participate in demos and riots are the ones from the low-cost areas. This is an indication that they are a forgotten lot. Our governments do not seem to place a lot of premium on the welfare of the poor people or the low-income people. I suggest that there must be a deliberate engagement with the people in charge to make sure that we address the issue of infrastructure development, employment and access to social services in all urban areas. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, with those few remarks, I beg to support the adoption of the Motion."
}