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{
    "id": 798290,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/798290/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 172,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "things are being done. I am happy that in the North Eastern region, where we were ignored for a long time, plans are underway to improve infrastructure. I urge the Government, the International Development Fund (IDF) and the World Bank to complete the projects that have been planned. A lot of work has been done in regards to infrastructure. However, in Nairobi, there are constraints, for example, along the Uhuru Highway. I urge the Government to ensure that we decongest Nairobi in order to attract investors. The fire that broke out at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) some years back was a blessing in disguise because, today, we now have Terminal 2, which compares well to any other international airport. We urge the Ministry and the department concerned to continue with that. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not want to repeat what the President said about the Isiolo- Moyale Road. We now want emphasis to be put on the Isiolo-Mandera Road and Garissa- Mandera Road. Since 1963 we have been complaining about these roads. I hope that something will be done and realised before the end of the term of the President. The President also talked about the Big Four Agenda, that is, affordable housing, universal healthcare, food security and manufacturing industry for Kenyans. No country can be proud if it does not feed its nation. We really need to put a lot of effort to ensure food security. We cannot depend on rain. Unfortunately, when it rains, it causes havoc like it has done now. We cannot even plant in this situation. We must develop proper irrigated agriculture. We cannot talk about agriculture being the mainstay of our economy if we cannot feed ourselves. We should not focus on maize only; we can grow viazi, rice or rear livestock. People must invest in variety of foods, so that we can be food secure. The President mentioned that he dreams of a Kenya where everyone will live in a comfortable home. In fact, we must introduce proper low cost housing. That is included in the Big Four Agenda, but the implementation and budgeting must be done properly. This is because most of the items in the Big Four Agenda are devolved. It is only manufacturing that is held in the national Government. We need to synchronize our policies both in the counties and the national level, so that these programmes are prioritized and funded. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the President talked at length about matters of health, which is also included in the Big Four Agenda. Most of the health issues can be dealt with when there is proper water and sanitation, because quite a number of diseases are waterborne. We must also invest in water supply and sanitation in our urban areas. This will help people in the urban areas to live healthy lives and avoid a lot of diseases. That said, the effort which is being made in the health sector is important. However, the most proper synergy should be between the national Government and the county governments, so that we can have universal health care. We must restructure the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) because we need a proper insurance scheme in the country. Many Kenyans are going through a lot of problems. For example, we send most of our cancer patients to India. Last time, there was a proposal to have at least two cancer centres in the country. I know that some Indians have invested in some in the country, but we must have a proper state-of-the-art cancer centres that will offer proper medication. People are having problems paying their bills. Hospital bills are very 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."
}