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{
    "id": 774078,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/774078/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 209,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "It is expected that under this Bill, the National Irrigation Development Authority is going to be one entity that will bring together the county and national Governments through an established Board that will be able to discuss matters of irrigation. This is so that you will not find a situation where national Government just wakes up and says that they are going to do irrigation in Kisii County and they have not consulted the county government to see how they are going to do that coordination. There is one region that really concerns me in matters of irrigation when I talk of the dry areas; the Lake Basin. There is a lot of potential in Kisumu, Siaya and Homabay. If you look at the reports and the projects that were planned to be put in those places and so forth, there is a lot of potential because we have rivers flowing there--- ( Sen. Nyamunga spoke off record ) Sorry, Madam Temporary Speaker, I was listening to Sen. Nyamunga. It is an area that we have been discussing something with Senator Cheruiyot; about the expected Koru Dam and the desire to do an irrigation and supply water for people in that region. The potential we have in Nyanza region when it comes to cotton farming, the other kinds of agriculture like sugar and so forth, can be able to change the economy of that region and our country. I, therefore, urge the Minister responsible for agriculture and irrigation to give this area more focus. This entity alongside the representation of the Council of Governors will have room to guide this nation on matters of irrigation in a fairly coordinated manner that will respect the consultation and cooperation provided for under Article 62 of the Constitution. Madam Temporary Speaker, there is an institution called the National Irrigation Development Authority that is going to be established with representation of the Principal Secretary. First of all, the Authority has responsibilities as provided in Section 8(2) of the Bill. They will:- (a) Undertake irrigation development including the infrastructure in national or public and smallholder schemes including schemes which traverse and straddle more than one county. That is so that then they focus on the projects of the bigger scale. (b) In consultation with county governments, facilitate formation and strengthening of irrigation water users’ associations at scheme level for operation, maintenance and management. Just like we have the water users’ associations in other places, we must also consider irrigation water users so that then their interest as an association is---. I am speaking like this because I have a little bit more experience representing a constituency called Marakwet East, as one of those in my county that has had indigenous irrigation schemes that are owned by clans since the 1800s. They have ways of repairing, sharing responsibilities and using the water. They even have a plan that up to such and such an hour, you irrigate this part of this clan or that or up to such and such an hour it is the responsibility of this clan to use the water. That kind of old technology must now be modernised. That will be the responsibility of this Authority to manage issues related to irrigation users. 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"
}