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{
"id": 1363754,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1363754/?format=api",
"text_counter": 355,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Molo, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Kimani Kuria",
"speaker": null,
"content": "respective fields. If you recall, Kenya is even on the record for donating the former President of the United States of Africa, His Excellency Hon. Barack Obama. That tells us the quality of human capital that we have as a country. In formulating the Fourth Sessional Paper No.1 of 2023 on the Kenya Population Policy for Sustainable Development, the National Council for Population Development adopted a multi-sectoral inclusive and participatory approach process which involved the following; extensive and intensive review of relevant information and data, public participation nationwide through the 47 counties, consultation with experts, leaders, policy makers at national and sub-national levels to capture a wide range of perspectives, validation of documents by stakeholders and approval by relevant authorities of Government such as the National Development Implementation Technical Committee and National Development Implementation Communication Cabinet Committee (NDICC). These policies recognise the fundamental rights of human beings and communities to have equal access to all opportunities to improve their well-being. I urge Members of this House to debate this process and advocate for its success so that we can together create a policy that ensures the well-being and prosperity of all Kenyans now and in the generations to come. The policy provides an overall framework and proposes key policy measures to be undertaken to address critical population challenges in the following key broad population thematic areas: population size, growth, age structure and vulnerable populations, fertility, morbidity and mortality, mobility, migration and urbanisation, population, human settlement, environment and disaster risk, data, research and innovation, and resource mobilisation. The policy proposes effective management of the population programme through improvement in human capital for sustainable development through appropriate nutrition, health and well- being, quality education, job creation and skills development, integration and mainstreaming of population and development issues in all sectors for the improvement of the welfare of families and communities, harnessing departmental aspects of migration as a key social change phenomenon and, at the same time, minimising risks that come with migration, particularly the illegal forms, ensuring availability and accessibility of reliable and timely data and enhanced research on population and attendant issues. The policy proposes an implementation framework that will be carried out through a multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional approach that will involve the national Government, county governments, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, private sector, faith-based organisations, the media, institutions of higher learning and research institutions among others. The policy will be implemented within the broader framework of the Kenya Vision 2030 and the Constitution of Kenya. This Sessional Paper highlights some emerging challenges, diverse cultural and religious beliefs and proactive issues such as child marriage. It is really disheartening to know that in 2023 we still have challenges of child marriages and female genital mutilation (FGM) cases in this country and yet we have Government officers and parents. Those that are supposed to protect these innocent children are perpetrators of these heinous acts against children and young women. We have low involvement in family planning programmes. Population control or family planning has been mainly a women’s issue, leaving out men. In any case, a child belongs to both the man and the woman yet the involvement of men in family planning programmes is very minimal. We also noticed low involvement of women in decision making. Although we have passed a very progressive Constitution that recognises the role of women and women leadership and the two-thirds gender rule, you still find very low involvement of women in decision making. Women are continuously being involved in many affairs, but when it comes to the critical moment of decision making, we continually see them being left out. This needs to be corrected. Myths and misconceptions about family planning and contraception still continue to hinder proper decision making on contraception. We have so many opposing views 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."
}