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{
"id": 876554,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/876554/?format=api",
"text_counter": 22,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Murkomen",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 440,
"legal_name": "Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen",
"slug": "kipchumba-murkomen"
},
"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, the projects are critical in creation of employment for the young people in Elgeyo-Marakwet and Baringo counties, some of whom have been rehabilitated from cattle rustling. It is estimated that the projects will employ over 2000 young people in the five-year implementation period. The projects will also increase direct revenue generation for Elgeyo-Marakwet County through increased tourism, fees and levies, among others. Through acts of corporate social responsibility, it is expected that many people in the county will benefit. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as the Senator for Elgeyo-Marakwet County, I have been in the forefront in pushing for the implementation of these projects for the above benefits. When the projects were at the initial stages in 2015, all leaders of Elgeyo-Marakwet County were involved, whereby we insisted that there must be thorough public participation, prompt and adequate compensation to locals affected. To this end, the KVDA has facilitated over 80 consultative meetings. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we understand that the Government has set aside Kshs653 million for compensation which amount is held by the KVDA, to be transferred to the National Land Commission for compensation purposes. It is true that the consultations geared towards land acquisition and compensation has been slow. This is partly because we must protect our people from any form of exploitation. We must all remember that public participation is a mandatory requirement under our Constitution. To that end the leaders will do everything possible to ensure that before the projects commence, there must be prompt and adequate compensation, bearing in mind the significant sacrifice that our people are making for the good of the country and the welfare of the greater population. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the people of Elgeyo-Marakwet in Arorr, Kipsaya and Kimwarer areas, particularly around HZ area are waiting for compensation and we have insisted that there must be prompt and adequate compensation before these projects can commence. One of the main reasons why the project has not fully commenced is because of the delayed process of compensation. Unfortunately, even as we push to expedite the process of project implementation, the welfare of the affected population cannot be wished away. No one should take advantage of this noble endeavour to argue for termination of the project. All projects across the Republic have been delayed for the same reasons, but eventually they commenced after local leaders worked with the Government to address the salient issues. I wonder why in our case, a similar approach is being castigated, with attempts to attack the project itself. Mr. Speaker, Sir, questions have been raised regarding the financial model adopted in this project and whether the model should be applied in the two projects. The loan funds were sourced from the Italian Government through a mechanism that is known as engineering, procurement and construction, plus financing, otherwise, known in the development financing sector as (EPC+F) mode of funding that entailed signing a commercial contract agreement between KVDA and competitively out-sourced Italian construction firm, M/s CMC Di Ravenna Itinera Joint Venture, prior to signing of loan agreement between the national Treasury and the Italian Government. 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."
}