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{
"id": 1379197,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1379197/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cheptumo",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13591,
"legal_name": "Cheptumo William Kipkiror",
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"content": "chance to debate this Motion and make a resolution that is going to help sort out this issue. Cattle rustling and banditry has been identified as a major threat to the security of our country, particularly in about seven or so counties: Baringo which is my county, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Turkana, Isiolo, Marsabit and Laikipia counties. These are counties inhabited by well over 8.8 million Kenyans and 1.7 million households who depend directly and entirely on livestock for their day to day living for food, clothing and so on. In other words, they define life through their livestock in terms of sustainability. Therefore, 90 per cent depend on livestock. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this menace has caused a lot of suffering in these communities. It has also caused serious socio-economic impact. Allow me to mention some of the issues that I have witnessed. As I speak in this House, I became a victim of this situation in 1977 when my home was raided. My father had close to 50 or 60 cows and several goats. One afternoon, we became destitute because our whole livelihood was taken away by bandits. That time, the President of the Republic was the founder of this Nation, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. One year later, the second President took over and he was from Baringo. In 24 years, he tried his best. However, by the time he left the leadership, we still had the same problem persisting. President Mwai Kibaki came on board for 10 years. The situation remained desperate. President Uhuru Kenyatta took over leadership. Unfortunately, like his father, he was unable to sort out this problem. Today, we have the fifth President of the Republic. It is my hope that this administration will be the one to sort out this problem. Our Head of State has been clear and made it public that it is his desire to ensure that Kenya will be secure under his leadership. So, we are talking of a situation that has persisted since Independence. From 1977 up to today, you talk of 49 years of suffering. Apart from losing livestock, let me say that killings have taken place. Kenyans have been killed in thousands. I have just mentioned that in under one month in Baringo County, we lost 14 people. There is killing and maiming of our people. We have had widows, widowers and orphans in thousands. Displacement of population has become another serious situation in these counties. The process of raiding by the bandits has made people to move from their homes. They are now displaced giving rise to the unpopular conditions of IDPs, squatters and so on. We have also witnessed destruction and closure of our learning and health institutions. In Baringo North today, we have closed seven schools this week. In Baringo South, some schools have been closed. Those are the ones I know from my county. However, I am also aware that there are many other schools which have been closed in other counties. Children are denied access to education which is a basic constitutional right. Kenyans are denied their right to access medical care, again, a basic constitutional right. Kenyans are denied their constitutional right to vote. Once you displace people, they are unable to participate in voting for the leaders that they would like to have. 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."
}