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{
    "id": 117312,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/117312/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 30,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Duale",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Livestock Development",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) Yes, I am aware that some herders moved their livestock from Isiolo towards Buuri, crossed into Imenti North and finally camped at Lower Imenti Forest at Ruiri and Kithoka boundary. The herders, as Mr. Ruteere may be aware, moved from Isiolo area due to the severe drought that ravaged most parts of this country especially northern Kenya, leading to ethnic conflicts that took place in the middle of November, 2009. I am also aware that these herders were trying to go to Tana River District by trekking along the road via Mwingi District, with over 2,000 camels and 4,000 sheep and goats. While there were reported cases of vegetation degradation in the forested areas, no farm land invasion has been reported so far. I wish to inform Mr. Ruteere that trekking along the road poses obvious dangers of spreading diseases to other areas as well the trekked animals. To mitigate the disease threat, especially the dairy cattle in North Imenti, my Ministry has undertaken a major vaccination campaign where over 150 head of cattle, 90 goats and 95 sheep have been vaccinated against Rift Valley fever, Blackquarter and Anthrax. Plans are under way to step up these vaccinations in Buuri and North Imenti districts within the coming months. Moreover, my Ministry has put in place an elaborate disease surveillance and reporting system in the entire country for early disease detection. (b) I am aware of the threat of conflict between the communities involved, especially due to the scarce pasture and water during the dry period. That is why more of our officers and more Government departments including the Provincial Administration and the Forestry Department have taken the initiative of intervening to avert any clashes between the said communities. However, local leadership should also be actively involved in ensuring that peace in this region succeeds. (b) On the issue that some herders are armed, the Government is not aware of any herdsmen who are armed in that particular area. (c) To avert a possible confrontation, a meeting was held on 26th November, 2009, by all the parties concerned and it was agreed that the herders should leave the area latest by 30th November, 2009. Since the majority of North Eastern Province and Isiolo, in particular, have received high rainfall, we expect most of those herders to go back to their original districts."
}