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{
"id": 820426,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/820426/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
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"speaker": {
"id": 407,
"legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
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"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, from the outset, I would like to convey my deepest condolences to the families, on behalf of the people of Narok County, my family and myself. The people of Kitui County have suffered. Those children did not deserve to die. As we think about this sad moment, it gives us an opportunity to try and see what we can do within our powers to ensure that this does not happen again. Some of my colleagues have suggested that there is a law or policy that prohibits night travel. I remember that in January this year, there was a decision by the High Court in Nakuru that found the NTSA Act, which I have also had an opportunity to look at, does not have any provision that restricts night travel. Mr. Speaker, Sir, yesterday, the Governor for Machakos County issued a directive banning all night travels and imposing a fine. I caution that anytime we do anything, it has to be backed by law. If, indeed, there is a law that bans night travel, it should be listed in the laws of Kenya. It should actually be in the NTSA Act. I would caution the Governor for Machakos County that he cannot ban night travel and impose a fine of Kshs50,000. We have an opportunity in this House to amend the NTSA Act and ensure that everything we do is protected by the law. If governors can just wake up and say there is a law and if you break it, you pay Kshs50,000, then I do not know what we will be doing in this House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like us to take this opportunity to look at the NTSA Act, amend it to include a provision that focuses on safety. The Ministry of Education had issued a policy, but it can be more effective. We are a country that is governed by the rule of law. I hope that my brother from Kitui will take this opportunity to introduce amendments to this NTSA Act and provide those provisions of security, so that it is clear. This is a country where people go to court and it is their right to do so. When you go to court, you should present a case. I know that people will go to court tomorrow. We may need to come up with better policies that encourage safety. I like what my sister, Sen. Were, has suggested; that when these students travel at night, they should have at least two drivers; that is, if they have to travel at night. One of the problems we have on our roads, which I have observed having lived outside the country, is that we have encroached so much into our road reserves to a point where there are no rest areas. There are very few rest areas. This is an opportunity for us to consider and look at all our roads network and introduce rest areas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I see my time is over."
}