Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 820499,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/820499/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 213,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "same? I was not far from here. I was in Upper Hill and I asked myself whether the city was the same. I was surprised because a day after, we went to Lee funeral Home. I felt bad because I saw some people laughing, others jumping and dancing. Up to date, many Kenyans have the same feeling. I am sure the parents of the children who perished in the road accident are asking themselves: Is the school and this nation the same? Can the Ministry of Education do something? None of us can answer their questions. The people who have lost their loved ones in the tragedy are asking the same question. Are our neighbours concerned? Are our political leaders concerned? When they see the way we behave and debate they get crashed completely and lose hope in life. It is unfortunate that we keep on debating, arguing and raising our concerns in this honourable House and nothing is done. It is unfortunate that we sit here and receive our salaries at the end of the month when we know that for the last ten months we have been debating on issues and nothing has happened. Many of us have been debating so that our people on the ground can benefit. If nothing happens then we ask ourselves what we will be doing for the next four years. It is my request to the authorities concerned that we take things seriously. What happens next after the tragedy and writing of this report? It is clear that the owners of the dam did not take whatever they were doing seriously. In the Committee’s Report, they stated that “Similarly the Committee notes that the owners of Milmet Dam failed to carry an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as contemplated under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA).” They never took it seriously. The meteorological department warned every Kenyan that we would receive heavy rains this season, they would have known. In 2012, the biggest dam broke its walls and spilled water which should have been the warning, but nobody took it seriously. The families of close to 49 lives we lost are suffering up to date. What has the National Disaster Management Unit done? What can they tell Kenyans? In the Committees’ Report, they registered very well under the response to the disaster, the multiagency team consisting of teams from the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), the National Youth Service (NYS), the Kenya Army, the Kenya Navy, the National Disaster Management Unit, the Kenya Police, World Vision, the County Government of Nakuru and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) responded to the disaster. As I was reading the Report, I saw that the owner of the dam gave Kshs35 million. What is Kshs35 million compared to the lives we lost? The support we are giving is not enough and so the recommendations that the Committee has put in place should be honoured and implemented. The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government informed the Committee that the Government provides assistance of Kshs50,000 issued to families which cannot even buy the casket. I remember when the tragedy happened some people gave us Kshs50, 000 and we appreciated. However, it is nothing compared to what you have lost and it cannot help you. When a whole Ministry gives Kshs50,000 to people then we have a lot to consider. Madam Temporary Speaker, we have always debated on disasters and tragedies in this country. My question is to the Government officials who sit in different offices 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."
}