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{
    "id": 775022,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/775022/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 286,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kihika",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13216,
        "legal_name": "Susan Wakarura Kihika",
        "slug": "susan-wakarura-kihika"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to second the Urban Areas and Cities (Amendment) Bill, Senate Bill No. 4 of 2017). As I second the Bill, I would briefly like to add that there is definitely need to amend the existing Bill as the urban areas and cities continue to have an increased population and as the counties continue to settle in and probably need more structures as they set up the areas and as they continue to provide services to the masses. I also take the opportunity to point out a few things that will be great if the relevant Committee, which is the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, will consider as the Bill goes through the process. I question why we would be reducing the population instead of increasing because the populations of these areas continue to grow. For example, in the current Act, a city’s population is at 500,000 people. So, when I look at the amendment, the intention is to get the population to 250,000. By halving that population, it makes it seem that almost every place or town then becomes a city. The cost implication is that we will then have a management board that will require salaries and sitting allowances in counties that are already extremely overstretched financially. When you talk of a town of just about 10,000 people, I would even think that we should be increasing the population and not reducing it. Obviously, I am cognizant of the fact that with devolution, we want to reach to the smallest unit and maybe that is what is informing the reduction in the population. However, at the same time, the wage bill in the country has become a big concern. I have 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."
}