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{
    "id": 1009215,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1009215/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 260,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13119,
        "legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
        "slug": "agnes-zani"
    },
    "content": "Yes, you can clap for that. Madam Temporary Speaker, there were site visits, where various stakeholders were engaged. In this particular Eighth Report, there was more focus turning to the issues of access to food, water and other essential services. The CS gave some insights. What is important, which is mentioned here, was the need for continued production and distribution of food commodities across the country. As we focus on COVID-19, there is the issue of agriculture and ensuring that agricultural production does not halt. We do not want to have a food crisis after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Report gives reassuring figures about the food reserve; that we do not have a decline, for example, in the pricing of maize. However, this is the current situation. Madam Temporary Speaker, we need to ensure that the Committee continues to engage with the stakeholders to ensure that these prices remain where they are or better still they can come lower remembering that most Kenyans have also lost their jobs. What might have been a standardized pricing as per now, probably, does not apply anymore for many households that have lost their employment and have to look into that. Among these and very important, is the creation of food security wall room through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries by continuously monitoring farm inputs and ensuring that the supply and emerging issues are taken care of. It is important and imperative for this Committee to continue that oversight. Madam Temporary Speaker, some of the risks are also mentioned in the Report in terms of food production. What can we do about them? There is flooding, desert locusts and all other issues that are coming. How are we able to circumvent that? These are critical issues and they have to be looked at. We have addressed this many times in terms of disaster management. This claws back the efforts that have been done within agricultural sectors. One of the other issues that are critical through various engagements was protocols and guidelines that have been put into place. This was to ensure that the producers, traders and consumers of the crop can continue in business, while taking precautions for the spread of COVID-19. This is critical. It does not mean that sectors must stop. Madam Temporary Speaker, this Committee can go further, even now as we begin to think about how we can begin to open up. Could this Committee take the leadership and through the various sectors begin to engage with the transport sector? A lot of discussions and discourse are taking place about places of worship opening up. 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."
}