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{
    "id": 1262902,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1262902/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 51,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kingi",
    "speaker_title": "The Speaker",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "of Nyangores Ward, Chepalungu Constituency in the County of Bomet, concerning catastrophic maize diseases that farmers in Bomet County have endured for the last 12 years. As you are aware, under Article 119(1) of the Constitution- “Every person has a right to petition Parliament to consider any matter within its authority, including enacting amending or repealing and legislation.” Hon. Senators, the salient issues raised in this Petition are as follows- (1) THAT, Bomet County is one of the seven most high potential maize production zones in Kenya with agriculture servicing as the main economic activity in the county. Maize in particular plays a crucial role in terms of food and nutrition security as well as income generation in the county. (2) THAT, in September 2011 food security in the county has been severely impacted by catastrophic maize disease known us Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN). (3) THAT, the disease which was first identified at the Kipsuter locality, quickly spread to the entire county, killing 90 per cent of the crop in the year 2012, making maize crop farming an unpopular investment in the region due to these losses. (4) THAT, to date, no intervention measures have been extended to the residents by either the national or the County Government, with maize farmers who relied wholly on the crop for subsistence and cash crop farming, never receiving any sensitisation on the disease specifically. (5) THAT, considering that the disease is a fast spreader, there is a big risk that other maize-growing regions of Kenya will soon be affected by the disease, resulting in maize crop failure in the country, thus leading to further food insecurity. (6) THAT, subsequently, other development stakeholders have chosen not to give input loans to farmers in the affected region, making them suffer double jeopardy. (7) THAT, the Petitioner has made all efforts to have this matter investigated and resolved by the relevant bodies whose responses have not been satisfactory. THEREFORE, the petitioner prays that the Senate intervenes on this matter with a view to doing the following; (1) Recommend measures for redress to the rural poor farmers affected by the maize disease in Bomet County. (2) Recommend measures to prevent the relevant Government agencies to undertake research to curb the spread of these diseases to other crops. (3) Recommend regulation of maize seed sale to ensure farmers have access to disease-resistant varieties. (4) Recommend the provision of crop insurance to farmers in the region to mitigate crop losses and provide them with safety net. (5) Recommend the identification and promotion of alternative crops that can be planted in place of maize to ensure farmers and their families have sustainable food security. Hon. Senators, as you are aware, under Standing Order No.237, the Speaker may allow comments for a period not exceeding 30 minutes on this. However, due to the"
}