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{
    "id": 1101646,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1101646/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 347,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wambua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13199,
        "legal_name": "Enoch Kiio Wambua",
        "slug": "enoch-kiio-wambua"
    },
    "content": "12 drought-affected counties are Turkana, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Baringo, Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale, Marsabit, Kitui, Kajiado and Isiolo. The worsening trend across most of Arid the and Semi-Arid (ASALs) Counties, which represents 84 per cent of Kenya’s land mass, is a result of poor rains received during the March-May long rains season. Already, more than two million people are facing starvation according to NDMA and there are cases of inter-communal resource-based conflicts caused by dwindling pasture and water. Madam Temporary Speaker, the drought situation in Kitui County is dire and is taking a big toll on the people, especially school going children, women, the elderly and persons with Disabilities (PWDs); our livestock have not been spared either. The earliest rains are expected is after mid-October/early November and it would take another three months up to late December or early January for food to be available from farms in the county. This is assuming that the rains will be sufficient. The impact of this drought is already being felt as the aggravated food insecurity continues to rise, decreased pasture for livestock and resource-based conflicts have also been reported. The national Government must move with speed to provide food assistance and increase cash transfers targeting food-insecure households. The County Government of Kitui must urgently establish and operationalize a feeding programme across the county. A few weeks ago, scores of pupils at Kalima Mundu Primary School in Kyuso Sub-County in Kitui fainted while in class due to hunger pangs, leading to a public outcry and pleas to donate foodstuff to the school by well-wishers. Madam Temporary Speaker, the best proactive approach to this perennial problem is for both the County Government of Kitui and the national Government to collaborate in coming up with an elaborate water masterplan for the county. This plan should involve well researched and strategically constructed earth dams, boreholes, sand dams and domestic/institutional rain water harvesting programmes. The kneejerk reactions to drought situations and attendant starvation currently obtaining in Kitui County are a mockery of devolution. Both agriculture and water are devolved functions and the residents of Kitui County deserve better services in these two sectors from their County Government, even as the National Government and development partners come in to arrest the situation. Madam Temporary Speaker, I also urge the National Assembly to prioritize the passage of the Mung Beans Bill to ensure farmers from this region can grow their crop even with strained and erratic rainfall. The Senate did its part and passed the Bill in record time. The National Assembly should move with speed to come to the rescue of farmers and their children in Kitui County and beyond. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker."
}