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{
    "id": 1354558,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1354558/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 384,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mandera South, UDM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Abdul Haro",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Speaker, the adverse effects of the El Nino crisis are significantly impacting a lot of critical facets of our country. The rains are disrupting the ongoing national exams for students with potential long-term consequences on the education and future prospects of students. In Mandera County, numerous schools are also being utilized as refugee shelters, thus causing challenges to both the displaced individuals and educational institutions involved. Some vital healthcare facilities, including hospitals, are submerged, thus rendering them inaccessible. This has unfortunately left the affected population without access to medical assistance in the wake of dangerous outbreak of diseases. It is disheartening to note that private individuals have had to step in actively to engage in rescue and relief efforts, thus underlying the urgency and the gravity of the situation. The current death toll stands at 46 with over 14 reported injuries and the potential for further casualties is imminent if immediate action is not taken. It is against this background that I seek leave for the adjournment of the House to discuss this matter of great national concern with a view to exploring possible and lasting solutions. We have been receiving heavy El Nino rains since the end of October. This has come at a time when the country has just come out of the worst drought in its history. The drought has been said to be the worst in 40 years. When the country was recovering from the drought effects, especially pastoralists, other Kenyans were rejoicing that the rains have finally come. Those rains have now come as El Nino . It has been said to be the super El Nino and not the normal El Nino . It is predicted by the weather men that it will be worse than the El Nino of 1997/1998. Already, over 15,000 families have been uprooted from their families. Hundreds of acres of farmlands have been decimated and over 1,000 livestock have been swept away. Whole counties have been cut away from the rest of the country. For example, where I come from, Mandera County is completely cut off from all other places in the country, and also from the neighbouring countries. It means, therefore, in the next few weeks, if the rains continue pounding as has been said it will until March next year, then we are facing serious starvation due to lack of food. There is scarcity of fuel in that county already and many other counties. In Mandera Referral Hospital, for example, critical hospital facilities like oxygen that require electricity are not accessible. Food is running out in many parts of the country. Fuel has run out and there is serious danger of outbreak of Cholera and Malaria. In some parts of the country, especially Central and Rift Valley, there is danger of mud slides which could be a danger to the lives of many of our people. As we speak, the rains continue to pound most parts of the country. I had already indicated the 46 deaths which had been reported, but the number is rising. As late as yesterday, we lost a Form II boy who was a student at Takaba Boys Secondary School in Mandera West. He was swept away by waters of River Lagsure which has its source in the Ethiopian Highlands. The boy was swept away and his body has not been retrieved from the river. My heart goes to all those Kenyans who have lost their lives and those still missing. I pass my condolences to the families. Floods should be declared a national disaster since they are now turning into a super El Nino . Once we declare them a national disaster, we can mobilise our 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."
}