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{
"id": 1495992,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495992/?format=api",
"text_counter": 377,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
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{
"id": 1495993,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495993/?format=api",
"text_counter": 378,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo",
"speaker": null,
"content": "All of us know that Kenya is a tree-scarce country. We have not yet gotten the 10 per cent forest cover that we desire. We always hope and pray the initiatives that are being rolled out by the current regime will result in adequate forest cover so that we can solve climatic changes and be in a position to deal with the adverse effects of the same. There are very many tree species in this country, exotic, indigenous and some hybrid. They have different implications and effects on the environment and the general welfare and well-being of the people of Kenya. There have been numerous researches and reports that have indicated eucalyptus species are heavy consumers of water and, therefore, whenever they are planted near water sources, along riverbeds or any other water board masses, they have some negative effect on the water availability in that particular area. I do not want to dispute the researches because that is not my area of specialisation and being somebody who has consumed research reports, I want to take it as it is and that is the correct position. If there is adequate research, and I believe scientists in this House, scientists at Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), and all over, will be able to inform this debate before we conclude. Let me also echo the sentiment that have been raised by the Member of Parliament for Nyeri Town, who has clearly indicated that because of their early maturing and fast growing, eucalyptus trees have become very popular, especially in the construction industry. That is because they are used as props and for many things. I am also aware they are important in the tea sector. That is now a debate that Hon. Irene needs to engage those particular Members of Parliament from tea growing areas who use eucalyptus trees for tea processing and other uses in their areas. It might also be important that, as we ban eucalyptus trees, she must also engage, probably with association of contractors or builders, to see the substitute to be brought in this case. Probably with time, it might be important for Hon. Irene Mayaka, again, to look at a segregated way of applying that prohibition. There are some areas that eucalyptus trees have grown for many years and their adverse effects have been mitigated by adequate rainfall. There have been areas that are semi-arid or do not receive adequate rainfall like Funyula Constituency. Obviously, growing eucalyptus trees poses a very big danger on the survival of the few seasonal streams and water masses. This is a debate we cannot conclude today. I request that she engages further so that we are in a position to resolve this matter."
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"id": 1495994,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495994/?format=api",
"text_counter": 379,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "[The Deputy Speaker (Hon. Gladys Boss) left the Chair]"
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{
"id": 1495995,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495995/?format=api",
"text_counter": 380,
"type": "scene",
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"speaker": null,
"content": "[The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’) took the Chair]"
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{
"id": 1495996,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495996/?format=api",
"text_counter": 381,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo",
"speaker": null,
"content": "As I conclude, it is important that we need to continue the issue of afforestation in this country. We have many hills that are depleted of forest cover because of adverse economic activities. Truly, Hon. Temporary Speaker, you and I share the border and some of the hills between my constituency and yours are so bare that when I stand on top of Odiado Hill, I can see everything, Nyalenya Primary School, and all over the place. We must put our hands together and populate those hills with indigenous trees so that we protect the forest cover. Talking on the same issue, there is this matter of the carbon credit programme. In such an important Bill, the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining would have been around. In the fullness of time, they need to educate Kenyans on how that carbon credit programme works and whether the early maturing eucalyptus can actually be part of the solution or a programme on that particular case. In many of our villages, we use pit latrines. Let me give an example. I have a eucalyptus tree next to my pit latrine in my compound. Because there is a lot of water seepage, that tree has grown very fast. I probably want to lend credence to the finding of Hon. Irene that, that eucalyptus tree knows how to extract water from underground. It is the tallest. One day, Hon."
},
{
"id": 1495997,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495997/?format=api",
"text_counter": 382,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
},
{
"id": 1495998,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495998/?format=api",
"text_counter": 383,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Temporary Speaker, when you come to my place, I will take you there to take a picture so that you can send it to Hon. Irene to confirm her fears that, indeed, that is the problem we have. In this country, we have introduced species that have become very invasive. If you go to North-Eastern and Samburu areas, the Mathenge tree was brought as a panacea for some arid and semi-arid areas. It has turned out to be a headache and heartbreaker to many families. I want to urge the scientists that are involved in the introduction of new species, be it trees, other plants or even animals of whichever nature, to undertake adequate pilot studies so that whatever we eventually introduce into our environment is not harmful in the long run in order just to solve short term issues. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support. I urge her to engage further before we come to the Committee of the whole House so that we can make sure to tailor the amendment to suit the various ecological zones of Kenya."
},
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"id": 1495999,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495999/?format=api",
"text_counter": 384,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. David Ochieng’",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Well said. Hon. (Dr) Oundo, you need to plant more trees especially in Odiado Hills. You need to get the best species for Odiado Hills. Let us hear the Member for Moiben."
},
{
"id": 1496000,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1496000/?format=api",
"text_counter": 385,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Moiben, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Phylis Bartoo",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Bill by Hon. Mayaka. I am a very good farmer of eucalyptus trees. I have planted so many of them in my entire farm. One, it is a very easy tree to plant and it grows very fast. Two, we harvest firewood considering that we come from rural areas. The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) is a very good customer because it gets electricity poles from there. We need to regulate the growing of the eucalyptus tree because we have been given its disadvantages. It becomes very problematic because people are not well informed and educated on the rules of growing the eucalyptus tree. The eucalyptus tree seems a quick win. Firewood is no longer a problem when you grow eucalyptus trees, within a short time. You will get saw millers coming to purchase them. Given the cost of living in Kenya at the moment, and getting very fast returns on investment from planting a tree, it becomes a very easily targeted tree to grow. Regulating the growing of the eucalyptus tree in Kenya will go a long way because many people do not know its negative effects. It consumes a lot of water if it is planted in wet areas and creates desertification. I think the most important issue here is to educate the masses and communicate. Let the Ministry of Environment and Forestry come out openly to do advocacy and civic education in the entire country to educate the farmers on the pros and cons of growing eucalyptus trees. For instance, people have vast pieces of land in my Moiben Constituency. They grow maize there. Apart from that, they also do not mind growing eucalyptus trees on their fences or in the spaces in the land. This is because they are another highly marketable source of livelihood that enables them make an extra coin. Saw millers go around buying the trees that are not cheap. There is very good value for every tree you plant. You can even get up to Ksh5,000 per tree. Imagine having 100 acres of land and just deciding to do eucalyptus tree growing business. In that case, you do not care what happens to the land after that. Most people live one day at a time. You just do your bit, harvest, make money, educate your children, get returns on investment and life goes on. To avoid such scenarios, let us make a very clear regulatory framework to regulate the growing of those trees or ban them completely. For us who grew up in rural areas, you were supposed to walk long distances looking for firewood. If you have to struggle to make money, it is very easy to plant the eucalyptus tree. It is an option because, at the end of the day, it will elevate your life and educate your children. It will give you money – pesa mfukoni. We need to establish a very clear framework, and then go ahead to create advocacy programmes in every ward and constituency. People can then be knowledgeable on why they should not grow eucalyptus trees in wetlands or rivers, but look for other options like bamboo trees. It is about"
},
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"id": 1496001,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1496001/?format=api",
"text_counter": 386,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Moiben, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Phylis Bartoo",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}
]
}