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{
    "id": 788412,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/788412/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 214,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Melly",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12849,
        "legal_name": "Julius Kipbiwot Melly",
        "slug": "julius-kipbiwot-melly"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise to support the Bill. It is actually very important for our economy and for our country. As we all know as Members of this House, energy is the most important ingredient to spur development of any nation. I commend the Bill especially on the new energy sources. The Bill has placed a lot of emphasis on renewable energy, more so, wind and solar energy. These renewable energy sources are non- pollutant. They will ensure that our environment is safe and our economy grows faster. Fossil-based fuel like petroleum, coal and others have a direct effect on our social economic development and even health. The Bill tries to regulate and align the energy sector to the Constitution and the Vision 2030. In fact, I laud the Chairman for a good job done. Previously, there have been no concerted efforts amongst the various energy bodies. This Bill tries to ensure that the various energy bodies that we have are geared towards making this country energy-sufficient. I can give an example of the large windmills in the northern part of Kenya, especially in Turkana, Isiolo and Marsabit. If the wind energy in those particular areas is exploited and redirected to the very important areas of our economy, then that would spur the levels of development. It will bring the cost of production down. Industrialists, manufacturers and even the hospitality sector is expensive not because of anything, but because of the high cost of running business, which is as a result of the high cost of energy. I laud this Bill in the sense that various bodies that are engaged in power distribution, for example, REA, KPLC and others are being regulated. They are going to redirect their efforts in different areas, for example, rural areas, homesteads and small urban areas to ensure that we have small industries coming up. This Bill is going to assist areas where we have small rivers which can generate electricity. A few months ago, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry decided to have a nation- wide campaign to plant trees and conserve the environment so that energy can be easily produced by Kenyans themselves which then serves their homes, industries and towns. This is one of the things that have promoted economic development in the South East Asian nations, South Africa and even Canada. The 24-hour economy will only be spurred by enough energy that will enable industries, hotels, and even the hospitality sector to run with no problem. Investors coming to this country will have a problem especially when they find that the energy sector is expensive. The economies of our neighbours in Ethiopia, South Africa and even Tanzania are growing faster because they have enough energy in their countries. Ethiopia, for example, has harnessed her hydroelectric power generation to an extent that the neighbouring nations import energy from that nation. This Bill will ensure that our nation is energy-sufficient and our industries run well. It will also spur employment because unemployment in a nation is occasioned by non- productiveness where we have fewer industries and less work because of the high cost of production. I sincerely support this Bill."
}