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{
    "id": 1191091,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1191091/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 4080,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Uasin Gishu County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Gladys Boss",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Temporary Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to raise this issue of grave national importance. During the 12th Parliament, I presented a Petition in this House drawing its attention to the increase and prevalence of chemical pesticides in Kenya, which pose a risk to human health, environment and the larger biodiversity. The respective Committee tabled the Report of the Petition. However, the resolutions of this House are yet to be implemented by the relevant bodies, particularly the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB). Therefore, the continuing prevalence of chemical pesticides in Kenya is posing a risk to various members of the general public. We know that we have a high incidence of cancer and neurotoxicity in the country, which is as a result of those particular pesticides. We are concerned that about 76 per cent of the total volumes of pesticides that are used in Kenya have one or more active ingredients that are categorised as highly hazardous pesticides; noting that those highly hazardous pesticides are a global human rights concern which are endangering, inter alia, the right to food, health as well as clean healthy environment. They are regulated by international policy instruments to which Kenya is a state party with direct operational implications for pesticide management. About 44 per cent of the total volume of pesticides used in Kenya are not allowed for use in Europe and other jurisdictions but the same, for some unexplainable double standards, are still allowed and permitted in Kenya. Further, the use of the pesticides in Kenya has not been accompanied with awareness to farmers and other users on their toxicity levels and application. What is happening in the country amounts to criminal negligence and reckless endangerment of the Kenyan population by bodies such as PCPB. It is noteworthy to say that the Superior Court of California in the United States of America (USA) awarded a farmer US$250 million in damages for developing cancer as a result of repeated 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."
}