{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=136913","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=136911","results":[{"id":1385531,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1385531/?format=json","text_counter":611,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Wakili Sigei","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Sen. Osotsi, your time is up. Sen. Abbas, you may have the Floor."},{"id":1385532,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1385532/?format=json","text_counter":612,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Abbas","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we should not keep on bashing without reading the report. There are a lot of changes. To be honest with you, I was one of the opposers. However, having read the report, I commend the committee. They have done a commendable job of including various issues. According to the Bill of Rights; the economic and social rights in Article 43 state that every person has the right to accessible and adequate housing. As I talk to you today, there is construction going on in Wajir. The people of Wajir have accepted and they have already started constructing 200 units. That means it is affordable and accessible--- Hon. Senators, let us not oppose these things for the sake of opposing. The county is now included in this Bill. The county is now will have five members as a committee, which will receive 0.5 per cent of the levy for their operations. This was not there. Secondly, they have reduced the amount. Initially, it was 2 per cent, now, it is 0.5 per cent. Thirdly, there will be a national board that will be receiving 2 per cent. That means this board will take care of all people. Four, there is what we call rural housing. If you have land in Wajir and you want them to construct it, then you are allowed to take your title deed to the board, so that they can construct for you an affordable house for which you will be paying 3 per cent. There are affordable houses in every country in this world, especially the developed countries. The tenants are buying these houses to stay in them and pay rent. I do not see anything unusual here. I urge my colleagues on the other side that we should pass the Bill then bring amendments or regulations. For example, if someone has a house and he does not want to contribute, then we change that. This Bill does not favour Muslims. We can propose regulations such that instead of saying loan or interest, we can have service charge. This is not fixed. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I support the Bill."},{"id":1385533,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1385533/?format=json","text_counter":613,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Wakili Sigei","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Sen. Abbas. Next is Sen. Beth Syengo."},{"id":1385534,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1385534/?format=json","text_counter":614,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Wakili Sigei","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":null,"content":"The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services,Senate."},{"id":1385535,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1385535/?format=json","text_counter":615,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Beth Syengo","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity. I stand to oppose this Bill for the simple reason that it is not friendly and good for the welfare of Kenyans. When we talk of affordable housing, whose houses are they? Consider Kitui County where I come from. We live in our own houses in the villages. People have taken loans to build their own homes. When we talk of houses, who are they for? Let me talk about different professionals. I am from the teaching profession. When teachers get employed, their first project is to build their houses at home. They take loans to do that. Now, they are going to be penalized if they default on payment. How are the houses going to benefit them? Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I strongly oppose this Bill. I urge my friends from the other side not to pin down Kenyans. Let us all say no to this Bill and come up with good mechanisms on how to support Kenyans because the economy is already bad. Money for the housing project is being deducted from our payslips, which are already bad. We get pained with what we are going through because of this bad economy. For me, this Affordable Housing Bill is a big no."},{"id":1385536,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1385536/?format=json","text_counter":616,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Wakili Sigei","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Next is Sen. Tobiko."},{"id":1385537,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1385537/?format=json","text_counter":617,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Tobiko","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am shocked by Members of the Minority side who are opposing this Bill. It is on record that when both Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition and Kenya Kwanza Alliance were campaigning, each had the housing programme as part of their agenda should they take Government. Is it becoming a problem today because their competitors got into Government and have gotten the first chance to implement the housing programme for Kenyans? I am also shocked listening to a number of Senators from the Minority side who are against this Bill because they were with us in the committee. I want to go on record that I am the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing. We went through memoranda that were submitted by the public and many groups, including the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations (KNFJKA) and the Matatu Owners Association (MOA). We listened to those who appeared before the committee and considered what was proposed by those who sent memoranda. Any person who wants to claim that there was no public participation, I welcome them to---"},{"id":1385538,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1385538/?format=json","text_counter":618,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Sifuna","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13599,"legal_name":"Sifuna Edwin Watenya","slug":"sifuna-edwin-watenya"},"content":"Point of intervention."},{"id":1385539,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1385539/?format=json","text_counter":619,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Wakili Sigei","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Sen. Sifuna, what is your point of intervention? Clerk, switch his microphone on."},{"id":1385540,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1385540/?format=json","text_counter":620,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Sifuna","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13599,"legal_name":"Sifuna Edwin Watenya","slug":"sifuna-edwin-watenya"},"content":"Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.105 on responsibility for statement of fact. There is a lie being repeated on this Floor that the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition manifestos had the same proposals on housing."}]}