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{
    "id": 986704,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/986704/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 364,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kasanga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13185,
        "legal_name": "Sylvia Mueni Kasanga",
        "slug": "sylvia-mueni-kasanga"
    },
    "content": "Some of the other things are like the supply chains of essential commodities and consumer protection, to make sure that where there is food, it is available. The Government has made good strides on that. We know that essential services such as food are still flowing within the counties. Therefore, we need mapping of food donations and distribution of relief food, so that we do not have cases of crowding; where people are rushing off and end up hurting each. There is a lot in that section. Mr. Speaker, Sir, one important area is sustaining the sanitation services. That one came out very strongly. The waiver of utility bills is a very interesting area of contention. We expect that the Government will look for a way to cushion Kenyans when it comes to utility bills and social protection programmes as well. There are very many areas on this. There is statistics and institutional framework for coordination of anything to do with the vulnerable persons. There are also measures to control plant, livestock diseases and ensure continuity in food production, which is a very important issue under this thematic area. The fifth thematic area is on support services and crosscutting issues. Starting with public awareness programmes, the Government is trying very hard when it comes to this. We are called upon, as leaders, to spread the word what the Government is giving, so that we send the right message to protect our people. That needs a lot of consistency. The information needs to come up clearly, and we need to avoid the misconceptions. We have to be at the forefront, to clear up if there is any misinformation that is out there. The issue of transparency and accountability when it comes to management of the fund falls under this key area. Addressing stigma becomes very critical. Already, we are seeing COVID-19 being stigmatized. This is an issue we discussed at length with the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health on how they are going to deal with it. This is because we shoot ourselves in the foot when we do not message properly and people are now stigmatizing each other. You might find somebody getting stoned, beaten up or attacked because he or she has COVID-19, but it should not be that way. Coordinated youth led awareness creation came out very strongly from the members of the public; that the youth should be used in messaging. On Information Communication Technology (ICT) matters, communication and infrastructure, again, our Committee has met successfully because of ICT. It looks like the new way of life that is coming. We need to embrace it as a House and leaders. The Government is also beginning to embrace ICT, since all our meetings with the CSs and all the others have been online and been successful. Handling issues of security among others are areas that shall be considered. Internet access, privacy, data protection and communication of taxes, human rights issues, networks, connectivity and technological innovations among other things become very critical."
}