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{
    "id": 983935,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/983935/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 300,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "All the Senators spoke passionately about wanting to see a careful approach of dealing with this pandemic. The Senators spoke about the need for the Government to invest heavily in test kits. This is very important. One of the things that concerns me is that as MPs in this country, we traverse the whole world trying to learn more on how best we can improve on our legislation framework. By doing so, we do not go there and isolate ourselves. We meet with other legislators and people. By doing so, we put ourselves at risk. The two-week period will give an opportunity to our employer, the Parliamentary Service Commission, to come up with serious mitigating measures that will ensure that we and the people that we represent are safe. There are key issues that have been spoken about that I want to reiterate. One of them is to do with the issue of the economic stimulus. Sen. Sakaja asked various pertinent questions about what the national Government is doing. Are we talking about coming up with a stimulus package? Other Senators spoke about money that will be given to this country by the World Bank. It is about Kshs6 billion. I would like to call upon the national Government, through the Ministry of Health, to consider giving a stimulus package to all the 47 counties. I am happy with the work that the CS, hon. Mutahi Kagwe is doing. If each of the 47 counties get Kshs1 billion to help the economy grow, we will help the mamamboga and the people who work in the construction sector. We will also ensure that everybody gets tested. It is very sad that all of us are here. Recently when we came back from Mombasa, and having interacted with other Senators who travelled, and now that I hear that they were on the same flight with some people who were confirmed to be positive, yet we do not have testing kits---. Therefore, testing kits are important. The best thing that this Government can do, besides setting aside or proclamation of National Prayer Day on 21st March 2020, is to invest more money on free testing kits; good testing kits. People should not start selling fake testing kits. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is important that during this time, the National Treasury and Central Bank of Kenya come up with measures that will ensure that the perpetual motion machine where we spend, pay money and that money is used to pay taxes for doctors and police--- That motion should continue because if we panic, it will affect the way we grow as an economy. One thing is very clear; this virus is spreading rapidly. Even though the Senators are taking two weeks off, nothing stops them from meeting with the Cabinet Secretary (CS) privately to hold a press conference. I am sure Sen. Sakaja will be able to do that. I will be concerned if he does not. This is why when we talk about the land use policy, we try to educate people on the dangers of many people living together. In fact, when you go to some places in this Capital City, for example, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, you will be shocked. If one person is to be infected with that virus, this country will not be able to manage the number of people who will be infected. Therefore, as we go on recess, it will give us an opportunity. Even for us, as Senators, to spend a lot of time with our constituents. When we go out there and hold 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."
}