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{
"id": 812348,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/812348/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "July 5, 2018 SENATE DEBATES 49 Sen. Nyamunga",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving this opportunity to support this Bill that has been brought to this House at a very critical time. I take this opportunity to first of all, commend the two Senators for working together and coming up with such an important Bill. Much as one of the Senators who is in charge of this Bill was not in agreement that it is part of the “handshake”, I believe there is some handshake. The experience we have in Kenya right now of harmony, working together, moving forward together and comparing notes is, to me, a very good sign of the presence of the “handshake” that has brought this country together. We want to continue building on it from time to time, to make sure that it does not slip backwards. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I commend the two Senators for bringing up this Bill. It is very important that we have it at this time. It is not that we do not have enough laws in this country or that we are not in a position to manage our affairs. In my view, I think that we, as Kenyans, are not very responsible. We are prone to being reactive instead of thinking through and putting structures in place that can support the running of this nation. The way one runs a country should be so systematic in a manner that everything falls in place. We can put this Bill into place. To me, it is a very good one. On Clause 5 on the functions of the National Disaster Risk Management Authority, once put in place, we will have done a lot to the people of this nation. Disaster risk management is not only about Kenya as a nation or our counties, but it goes down to the level of our families. I wonder what happens or what our children can do if they are faced with a problem at home. Think of a water tap, which could be left running; think of the gas, which could have been left on by mistake; think of a candle, which has brought many families down, more so in the informal sectors, like what we saw in Gikomba and what we always see in slum areas. The moment one makes a simple mistake of just leaving a candle on, it can bring a big disaster to a whole estate or a large place. Therefore, in my view, when it comes to disaster management, we must start it at the lowest level. It has to be something that is instilled in our people at a very early stage. It should be like first aid, which all people know. This should even include my house help and young child at home and any old woman. They should know that you cannot live with a charcoal or kerosene jiko in the house and lock yourself in. They should know that you cannot leave a candle or the local type of lamps on. These are still being used in some parts of this country. It should start at that low level coming upwards. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I do not think that we do not have enough laws in Kenya; we have them. We also have the Department of Special Programmes under the Ministry of Devolution and ASAL. During the floods, food was there, however, it took a lot of time to reach the people on the ground. That problem has already been alluded to by most of the Senators who have spoken to this Bill. We must put in place structures which are operational and functional. We must know that when there is a disaster, someone needs to call so and so or a particular number, and it should be reflected in the whole country. Consequently, help should come within the shortest time possible. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I know that our infrastructure is not very good. For example, during the Gikomba tragedy, the major problem experienced was the 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."
}