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{
    "id": 783626,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/783626/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 216,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Dr.) Nyikal",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 434,
        "legal_name": "James Nyikal",
        "slug": "james-nyikal"
    },
    "content": "tried but it has not worked well because we do not have an integrated system that is in place by law. That is what I think we need. Mass rapid transport is explained here. If it is as indicated here, whether you have underground transport, road transport or light trains, which I hope this law will bring forth, then, you can move from one point to the other with specific areas where you can park your car and move around. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, we could even have a circuit from Uhuru Park all the way to the Old Railways and down to Machakos Bus Stop and then to Ngara and back. We could have other circuits from, say, Hurlingham, all the way to Kariokor and Railways to University of Nairobi. With such circuits in place, nobody would need to have a car in town. So, that integration is important. I have a problem with the definition of “bus”. The definition says that it is anything carrying not less than seven people. I think that definition’s intention is still to retain the m atatus. Somebody, in his or her heart, is still thinking this City should be run with these small vehicles. The definition of a bus, for me, should be one that provides for carriage of a larger number of people, maybe, 30 passengers. I think we will have to re-look at it. Clause 4, establishes the Authority. Although there is a constitutional problem, I think Article 189(2) actually allows for joint authorities. I think that is something that might be contained within the Constitution. We will have to look at the issue of representation and membership of the Authority. It has a wide range of functions from policy and plan formulation, implementation and formulation of standards. The same Authority also has the role of regulating. If it is going to implement, then it cannot regulate as well because, obviously, there will be a conflict of interest. It has broad powers. It can form partnerships, purchase land, get corridors and leeway and so on. I think all these are important for that Authority if it is going to work. We should also look at the membership of the Board. We should not say that anything at this level is to be appointed by the President. There are things that should be brought down so that there is a lot of autonomy. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, it also proposes a Council which I have a problem with. This Council is purely Government. It looks like this Council is going to oversight this Authority. However, if you carefully look at the functions of both the Authority and the Council, definitely, there is going to be a conflict of interest and tug of war. I think this is an area we should look at very carefully. I support this but with the reservations as I have indicated. Lastly, projects of this magnitude are often affected by corruption. Sometimes, the good intentions are marred by those who they intend to benefit. Those are the people causing us to have reservations."
}