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{
"id": 1292045,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1292045/?format=api",
"text_counter": 163,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13217,
"legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
"slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for the chance to say thank you. I know there are many Statements, but allow me to react to only one or two, to allow my colleagues to contribute. I thank the Senator for Trans Nzoia County, Sen. Chesang, for bringing the issue of distribution of maize dryers to farmers across the North Rift. As you are aware, we are experiencing a bumper harvest courtesy of the subsidized fertilizer that President William Ruto and his Government have provided. For the first time in many years, we are buying 50 Kilograms (Kg) of fertilizer for Kshs2,500. We used to buy it at Kshs7,500. We are projecting to harvest 60 million bags of maize across the country. As El Nino approaches, we are trying to harvest our maize. We ask the Government to quickly process and ensure each and every county, especially the North Rift, the breadbasket of the country, receives maize dryers. We cannot dry our maize in the sun as we harvest. We will be forced to put them in stores. We are harvesting early before they dry because of the El-Nino rains. It is good that we are given dryers, so that they do not go bad due to aflatoxins. Aflatoxins cause food poisoning, which is dangerous for Kenyans. Secondly, I ask the Government and farmers who have complained about this--- They need to know the price. The price of 90Kg of maize is Kshs3800. We need to cut it down from 90Kg to 50Kg because all the cereals are 50Kg. We request the Government that the minimum 50Kg bags of maize should have a price range of Kshs5,000 to Kshs7,000, so that we can get value for the work done in the farms. Finally, on the issue of harvesting. Many people are wondering why we are requesting maize dryers to prevent post-harvest losses in the country. Sometimes we have milk, which causes milk-clot in the country. We have a lot of potato harvesting and even mung bean harvesting from Kitui and other counties. I propose that as a country we must revive a robust strategic grain reserve, so that we can store excess maize, mung beans, potatoes and milk. We must have a strategic grain reserve, so that when we experience the longest drought, like we have in the last few years, we can ensure that Kenyans do not hunger. It is painful and sad to see any Kenyan losing their life because of hunger. As we harvest maize in the North Rift and across the country, the Government through strategic grain reserve, needs to also have the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) open their stores and ensure farmers deliver the harvested maize. For that indulgence, I thank you and congratulate all Senators who have processed their Statements today. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services,Senate."
}