HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 831585,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/831585/?format=api",
"text_counter": 343,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Ongeri",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 124,
"legal_name": "Samson Kegeo Ongeri",
"slug": "samson-ongeri"
},
"content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, this is an important Bill that should not be seen as if it is rivaling the Kenya Roads Bill, which is before this House. The latter is speaking to the standards of the roads while the former is talking about social inclusion. When we do this planning - whether you are in the formal or informal settlements - you all deserve decent, dignified and rewarding lives. It does not matter where they stay - whether in a well organised urban centre or in a disorganised informal settlement - you need decent, dignified and rewarding lives so that each category is given the opportunity to achieve the full potential of their lives. This is what this Bill is talking about. It is not talking about the standards of the roads; it is talking about social inclusion, which is very important. What does a pedestrian need to live a dignified and decent life in a town or urban centre? I would like, for instance, to think that a resident of Kisii, Keroka, Iten or Eldoret towns deserves to live a dignified and decent life whether they are in the main urban centre, in the Central Business District (CBD) or in the periphery where we have a lot of mushrooming of informal settlements. This is what this Bill is talking about. This Bill requires that we must do planning in such a manner that it bequeaths this life, which is inclusive by all means and standards and, therefore, it should be rewarding. Madam Temporary Speaker, this Bill is talking about spatial planning and development. When you do spatial planning, it must be a balanced territorial development. The Bill is saying that if there are commercial centres, let us have properly planned streets there. Let the first row of the planning that we have done be equally satisfying with all the amenities that are required for purposes of planning. If it is a road, a walkway or a pavement should be provided to bring safety to our road networks. We have just returned from Indonesia and Sen. Seneta will bear me witness. One of the things that we witnessed in those roads is their safety. Even the scooters, which are in their thousands, move in an orderly manner. It leaves a lot to be desired when you look at the motorcycle riders in our cities and towns. They crisscross everywhere without any order. When we visited Malaysia, we noticed that all motorcycle riders wait for the traffic lights to allow them to proceed. They move in an organized manner. This Bill seeks to bring order, sanity and safety for everybody, whether you are a motorcycle rider or motor vehicle driver. The rules and regulations must be obeyed. Therefore, we are bringing order in a very confused state. What is the purpose of this safety and spatial planning? It is to bring about development that leads to strengthening not only of food security, nutrition and housing, but also making sure that the livelihood of people is enhanced. Thirdly, the target of this type of planning is to create urban prosperity. I have talked about social inclusion and spatial planning because this Bill talks about them. The first row is as important as the second, third, fourth or fifth rows. The amenities provided in all those successive rows are equal to the ones of the first row. Today, in Kenya, people are scrambling to have a space in the first row, but there is no need to engage in that. Majority of planners in other advanced cities are now going for the second and third rows because there is quietness, safety and all amenities like markets, walkways and parking bays are provided for. When you provide these services through planning, you are able to The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}