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{
    "id": 1358536,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1358536/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 326,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Abass",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13587,
        "legal_name": "Abass Sheikh Mohamed",
        "slug": "abass-sheikh"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir for giving me this opportunity. I support the speech of His Excellency the President. It was commendable, well thought out and spoken. It was short and precise. However, there have been concerns. In the public sphere, you will hear what Kenyans expected he would talk about. These are the immediate issues that affected the lives of Kenyans; the cost of fuel, high taxation, and floods. As you are aware, half of this country is marooned by water, especially in northern Kenya. There is food scarcity and vehicles cannot move freely across the country. Animals cannot graze because vegetation has been covered by water. We expected the President to talk about the interventions and support that Kenyans require. The Ministry of Roads and Transport should move with speed to open up the roads, this has not happened. The President put a lot of emphasis on the agricultural sector, funds for coffee, and tea, and fertilizer subsidy. However, he left out the pastoral areas where 15 million Kenyans depend on livestock. Their economy has not improved since independence. In the past, they used to have livestock systems where animals were sold on time which helped farmers pay school fees. However, because of recurring droughts, animals died and perished. We expected a programme to recover from drought. Pastoralists in Northern Kenya expect to be given a subsidy in the same way the maize farmers are being supported so that livelihoods can be regained. Farmers should be given money to restock animals and drugs. The floods will most likely cause animal diseases like Rift Valley Fever and many other livestock and human diseases. We expect people to contract diseases and we need to take immediate measures to intervene. The Government under the leadership of the President is taking so much concern about unpaid and accrued debt. The country is paying back money owed by various creditors and donors. This is a good move since the country is wavering in debt and we need to reduce it so that we improve our economy. The ‘’Hustler’ Fund is a good initiative; however, this has not trickled down to the rural areas, especially in Northern Kenya. We are not beneficiaries of the fund because of religion. The Fund involves interests and because of that most of the people in Northern Kenya are not benefiting. We need to have a model that will accommodate all Kenyans. People in northern Kenya - Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, and Marsabit Counties did not have teachers for the last seven years. All teachers recruited had run away. As a result 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 and AudioServices, Senate."
}