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{
    "id": 994081,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/994081/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 175,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13131,
        "legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
        "slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
    },
    "content": "The COVID-19 pandemic situation is still evolving. As such, the observations and recommendations contained in this report reflect the situational context, and information that was available to the Committee at that time. We will keep updating. That is why we are calling them progress reports. Madam Temporary Speaker, for the current situation in relation to the thematic area of social, public order and human rights, we note and make the following observations- (a) The pandemic has adversely affected key sectors of the economy, especially trade, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing, leading to massive revenue losses and, therefore, consequent job losses. The other day I passed by Serena Hotel and I had never seen it look like that. It was covered with sheets from the lobby. So, you can imagine what the waiters, waitresses, chefs and housekeepers are doing. Many have been sent on unpaid leave. In fact, the companies are not sure if they will hire them back. Madam Temporary Speaker, imagine the night economy which is vibrant in my county and your county. There are Disk Jockeys (DJs) and musicians who cannot perform and bouncers who have nothing to bounce. These are real people. Incidentally, I know many of them in Nairobi. The kind of messages they send are painful and discouraging. We cannot help everyone. These are the people who need to be cushioned. We have proposals on how to cushion them, further to the stimulus proposals by His Excellency the President. (b) The restrictions and curfew imposed to control the spread of COVID-19 has affected persons living in informal settlements and those working in informal sectors. The Government has rolled-out cash transfer assistance programmes to enable the urban poor cater for their basic needs. Currently, the Street Families Rehabilitation Fund is being used to support institutions in only 14 counties and yet there are street families in all counties. Madam Temporary Speaker, while the cash transfer is commendable, it is a drop in the ocean. We need to enhance it. We have spoken about how to make sure it is accountable and transparent by using the local community leaders. We cannot be told that ‘x’ amount of money is issued every day yet Senators, Members of National Assembly and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) do not know who is getting the money. The community leadership must be involved. We cannot have lists that are written by the chiefs or by ACCs and DCCs. There must be involvement so that there is transparency. We do not want to display the names because of personal dignity. However, there must be some level of accountability. People in the slums and other informal settlements in Nairobi are extremely organized. In fact, they are better organized than those in well to do areas. I am sure that many colleagues do not know their next door neighbours in the posh areas they live in. However, in slums, they know each other. There is the NyumbaKumi Chairman who knows about issues of the youth and women. In those clutters, they are extremely organized. At that level of leadership, there must be transparency. Somebody must tell us who is getting the transfer funds in Kibera, Mathare, Huruma or Westlands. It cannot be left to one sector of the national Government officers. 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."
}