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{
    "id": 983915,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/983915/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 280,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherargei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for this opportunity. I join the rest of my colleagues in saying that extraordinary times need extraordinary measures especially at such a time. The country has taken bold steps on some of these issues. As a country, we need to put contingency plan to ensure that we arrest the spread of COVID-19, so that Kenyans are not infected or affected in one way or another. The Government must come up with a contingency plan, especially by way of support programme for Kenyans. Remember our economy is hand to mouth but we are telling people to stay at home. For the first time, we have a CS for Health by the name Hon. Mutahi Kagwe who fits the bill. Today in the afternoon, he said that water should not be disconnected because of the bills. The Government must come up with a raft of measures in Nairobi, where we have people who live in slums. There is need to suspend rent and other bills such as electricity, so that Kenyans do not have to worry about the monthly bills. These are people who need to go to work daily to pay bills and subsist. Madam Temporary Speaker, the Government must also agree with companies and other agencies. It must give tax exemptions so that manufacturers are encouraged to lower the cost of basic commodities like soap, bread and other foodstuffs. Kenyans do not have to go out of their way. I agree that we need to go on a two weeks’ recess and come back, but we need direction from you to guide the Committee on Health. In as much as the CS, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe is giving timely updates, we need to get accountability on not only the Kshs6.2 billion that the Government will get from the World Bank, but also a raft of measures put in place. That is important for us as a country. Napoleon said that leaders are dealers of hope. As leaders, we should not take the back seat. We should be at the frontline, so that the country does not panic, in order to give hope to Kenyans. Kenyans should be encouraged to stay at home. Madam Temporary Speaker, as a country and Parliament, we also need to be operational. Remember the Executive is now on top gear. There are many legislative and policy interventions by the Executive. Even the county governments may need to put interventions in place. If all of us go for recess for one month, for example, it means legislative and policy interventions that need to be put in place cannot take place. It also means that we cannot account for these people. Therefore, I urge Parliament not to take blanket decisions on recess without putting into focus legislative issues and policy interventions. Kenyans and the future generation will judge us harshly if we abdicate them at this time when they need us to be at the forefront. 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."
}