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{
    "id": 1278518,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1278518/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 237,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marsabit County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Naomi Waqo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for allowing me to add my voice to this very important Bill that the Leader of the Majority Party has brought. At the outset, I support this Bill because it concerns the lives of our people. This Bill is about food. Those who can afford food will have, at least, three meals in a day. Food goes into our system and has a lot of effect on our bodies. When the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Bill will be law, we are sure to have a good and healthy society. In the past, many people have suffered because of consuming contaminated food. Many others have even lost their lives. One time, people attended a certain wedding and almost 45 people were hospitalised. If good measures had been put in place, things would have been different. That is why the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Bill is something that our country needs like yesterday. I support this Bill because if we pass it, we will ensure that food does not cause any harm to the consumer. Normally, food is produced in the farms. It can also be bought from the shops, markets, and all manner of places. Our people will be safe if we are sure of the product. This Bill will provide for the coordination of public institutions created for the control of food and feed safety. The Bill establishes the Office of Food and Feed Safety Controller. I am sure it will serve our nation in a better way. I suggest that as the offices are established, let us ensure that we devolve them. We should endeavour to have the Office of Food and Feed Safety Controller in every county. Again, this Bill provides for the role of the county governments in food and feed safety. There is a lot of negligence in many areas within the counties. If this Bill is passed, the county governments will also be responsible in a way so that we do not blame the national Government only. We have people who practice farming. They rear domestic animals like cows and goats as their only source of income. If we take care of animal feeds, we will have healthy animals. If you buy an animal and slaughter it and thereafter a health check is done, you might find the meat is unfit for human consumption. That means a great loss. However, if we have good measures in place, we would be able to take care of the businessmen, consumers, and the entire country hence become a healthy nation. Clause 3 of this Bill outlines its objectives. One, it effectively coordinates the performance of the functions of the competent authorities. We do not have competent people in some institutions. The Bible says that my people perish due to lack of knowledge. When we have skilled people with enough knowledge and competent enough, then we can be sure that whatever approvals they do, it is something that is acceptable. As we approve this Bill, let us practice it in the best way possible. We should not entertain corruption or compromise on the matter of food and feed safety because it concerns people’s lives. Once we do that, we can be sure about the safety of the products we consume. Clause 3 enhances accountability in the implementation of official control. In our nation, accountability and good stewardship is what has been lacking. It is my prayer that under the Kenya Kwanza Government, it will be implemented. If we all become good stewards, this country can be transformed. A lot has happened in the past due to lack of accountability. Funds have been lost and resources wasted just because of lack of accountability. I suggest that all these objectives be followed so that this country can be transformed. With that in place, we are sure to have a healthy society that I talked about at the beginning. As we pass this Bill, we will be sure to protect human life and health. Today, Kenya is suffering because many of our people are suffering from cancer. Many people say that cancer 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."
}