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{
    "id": 1113223,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1113223/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 323,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tharaka, DP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. George Gitonga",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13491,
        "legal_name": "George Gitonga Murugara",
        "slug": "george-gitonga-murugara"
    },
    "content": "to the reduction of water and the drying up of rivers. I have called upon the Government to act with speed so that if there are any illegal blockages of these rivers, this must be undone. This drought menace is evidence that rain-fed agriculture is not reliable. The Government must move away from telling Kenyans to wait for rains to plant and harvest, to ensuring that we have sufficient irrigation water throughout the country, especially in my constituency, Tharaka. We are able to construct dams and dykes which can harvest and store this water so that it is used for purposes of agriculture, livestock keeping and human consumption. The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) is one entity in the country whose functions cannot be explained at all. This is especially so when I am told that it has offices in Tharaka. I have been waiting for them to take action on matters drought and nothing whatsoever has been done regarding this. Today, I must raise the voice for my constituency; drought is afflicting the people and it is going to lead to children dropping out of school. Drought is going to lead to great loss of livestock, because we do not know whether the rains will come soon or they may be prolonged. In these circumstances, it is purely on the shoulders of the national Government – the Executive – to ensure that we have sufficient money to buy relief food and ensure that water is given to areas where there is no water. If necessary, we should get pasture for our livestock. The county government must also come in. We have also seen very little of the County Government of Tharaka Nithi regarding this drought. They have the money, and they should make use of that money wisely. The children of Tharaka Constituency are not children of a lesser God; they are Kenyans like everyone else. Therefore, this matter of drought must also be addressed in my constituency as we address the rest of Kenya, including North Eastern. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker."
}