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{
    "id": 1200034,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1200034/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 335,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Runyenjes, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Muchangi Karemba",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I wish to contribute on this matter of drought situation in the country. Kenya has not been able to feed its people properly. We cannot move forward as a country. Approximately five million people are starving. The Government of Jomo Kenyatta gave relief food. The Government of President Moi gave relief food. The Government of Mwai Kibaki did the same. The Government of Uhuru Kenyatta gave relief food. The Government of William Ruto must do things differently. We say in English that, it is only a fool who does the same thing the same way and expect different results. Why do we have this situation right now? It is because of climate change. Kenya has only approximately 20 per cent of its land that receives sufficient rainfall. About 80 per cent does not receive sufficient rainfall. It means that it is only people who live in those areas that receive sufficient rainfall that can give us food, but they are too few to give us sufficient food. All over the world, we have success stories of countries that have managed to give enough food. For instance, India has over 1.4 billion people and it gives enough food to its people. China has 1.3 billion people and it feeds all its people. That never used to be. They put a lot of their land under cultivation. In India alone, 51 per cent of its land is under irrigation. In China, 41 per cent is under irrigation. In Egypt, which is a desert, they have been able to supply the world with rice. It means that if we must move on as a country, we must stop relying on rain for farming. We must go the irrigation way. If, for example, the dam proposed for construction at Thuci within my constituency is constructed, it would mean that four constituencies, namely, Runyenjes, Chuka/Igambang’ombe, Tharaka and Mbeere North can sufficiently do farming. So, I urge the Government of Kenya, led by His Excellency the President William Ruto, to give priority to irrigation farming. If we do this, in a few years, Kenya will adequately supply its people with enough food, and possibly, even get enough to give to neighbouring countries. With those few remarks, I thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker."
}