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{
    "id": 822625,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/822625/?format=api",
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    "content": "them to come up with industries that can use electricity and build up the place. It also makes it possible for people to begin to think about an electrical input-driven agricultural sector, which will make it possible for us to move away from mechanized agriculture to more modern forms of agriculture. Therefore, Madam Temporary Speaker, without a properly constructed energy sector and without proper legislation in that sector, then we cannot talk about development and take-off. As we know, we have a lot of energy in this country, but most of it has not been fully exploited or sourced. We have not looked for and tapped fully into these resources; and even where they have been tapped, it is done in an ad hoc manner. This Bill, therefore, brings a lot of synergy and synchronization into the whole process to ensure that all these issues are put together. Madam Temporary Speaker, I want to touch a little bit on the miscellaneous provisions. There is a very important component that has been put there, which is the requirement for local content. As we know, this is very critical so that at any one time, any jobs that are available will be done by the qualified Kenyans. This Bill is very clear that any plan that does not have component of local content will not be processed. This will catapult employment within this Country and enable the young people to be part and parcel of this sector. They will join in and meaningfully contribute to the country in a synchronised manner. Referring quickly to the policy and plan, it is very important to note that the Cabinet Secretary has to consult with the various stakeholders, so that they can publish this National Energy Policy, which will be reviewed every five years. That is good so that we do not have a situation where new ways of doing things and discoveries have been made, but they are not tied up with the policy. It is also very important that each county government shall develop and submit a county energy plan to the Cabinet Secretary. This will give a lot of work to the counties to go back to their resources, streamline this very clearly and put them out, so that they can be part and parcel of the strategy. Clause 7(3) says:- “Without limiting the generality of sub-section (2), the Cabinet Secretary shall develop and implement a fair, transparent and equitable strategy to ensure that all households are connected to a supply of electricity by 2030.” This is a noble goal that needs to be achieved without shifting any goal posts. The year 2030 is around the corner. With clear strategy and plans, it should be possible for us to attain that particular goal of ensuring that all households by 2030 have a supply of electricity right across the board. I am just going through some of the clauses about the Authority, which is critical. In this Bill, the appropriation of the work of the Authority has been given. It will come from monies that will be disbursed from the National Assembly in the usual budgetary format. However, one important thing is that the Authority has to implement the powers it has properly and do everything it is expected to do, for example, when it comes to revocation of licenses, review and approval of contracts and setting up of tariffs. It will also get to the point where they have to set, review and adjust electric power tariffs and 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."
}