HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 925811,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/925811/?format=api",
"text_counter": 460,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wamatangi",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 646,
"legal_name": "Paul Kimani Wamatangi",
"slug": "paul-kimani-wamatangi"
},
"content": "In West Pokot County, the Committee went on an assessment of county initiated road projects which were undertaken by the county government using funds availed through The Division of Revenue Act, County Allocation of Revenue Act and the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund. While in West Pokot County, we inspected a road which we would call a virgin road since none existed before. We wanted to see what county governments are doing. We witnessed that the county government had taken an initiative to construct a completely new road with funds allocated to the county in an area hitherto without access. In our second visit, we will be seeking to see if this has been made a reality and if it has worked. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we visited Turkana County to inspect the status of ongoing projects such as Lodwar Airport, County Headquarters, roads under Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and those initiated by the County Government. The quick highlight from this visit is the state of the Airport at Lodwar, which is pathetic and has no security. This Committee made recommendations and also issued instructions to enhance security, not only of the airport, but also the public. During active hours of the airport, young children have access to the airport, where they would even cross the runway when an aircraft is landing. Goats too graze inside the airport during active hours. Given the state of our national security, an airport cannot be without security and basic fencing facilities. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, of ultimate surprise was the fact that in Lodwar Airport, with a turnover of about 400 passengers daily, there is no working fire engine. There is no existence of a fire engine in the entire Turkana County, but more so, in the airport. How can an airport with 20 flights daily; 10 incoming and 10 outgoing and 400 passengers in a day, function without a fire engine? What would happen during a disaster? We gave instructions and were assured that there will be a fire engine in the next three months. Lastly, we undertook a visit to Isiolo County to inspect of Isiolo International Airport. This was in furtherance and follow-up on the Statement requested by Sen. Halake regarding the state of the airport. Further, the Committee scheduled a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the highlight on Isiolo Airport is that the Government has injected close to Kshs3 billion into the construction of that airport as of now. The best definition that would be given to the airport as of now is that it is a white elephant project. For a period of almost seven months, between January and July, the airport is reported to have serviced a mere 98 passengers. This is an international airport with a runway that cannot accommodate flights that are intended for its magnitude. There are several other issues too, including the cost of Kshs900 million to build a runway that cannot be functional right now, having barely been used. Those issues were addressed by the Committee and we have got assurance from the relevant stakeholders. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Ministry assured"
}