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{
    "id": 1381821,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1381821/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 323,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Gataya Mo Fire",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Bill before us is very emotive. The father of this Bill who also happens to be my friend and Chair of my committee has brought an emotive debate to the House today. From the onset, I wish to oppose this Bill because as we always say politics is local. The intentions of this Bill are good, but the drafter of the Bill did not do enough research. I have captured some issues that are not impressive, especially from Tharaka Nithi County, where I come from. I have a long story to tell. Tharaka Nithi County, which is historically marginalised has for decades suffered under the hands of Meru County. Day in and out, there is a lot of encroachment from our neighbouring county. We have lost lives and chunks of land. We have seen people displaced. People have suffered historically. I am happy that I have supplied the drafter of this Bill with sufficient evidence to show that what is contained in this Bill is not what is reflected on the ground. I remember in 1996 and 1997 clashes, through some Government systems, those in power at that time came, burnt houses and took our land. The schools were burnt and people were evicted in places such as Njuguni, Kinyungu, Turima Twa Mburi, and Kanjoro. People lost land, lives and livestock. Up to now, Tharaka-Nithi County is the only county in the entire former Eastern Province where we have Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have never been resettled up to date. Reading this Bill brings the nostalgia of things this Bill has not been able to address, such as pertinent issues that are bedeviling some of those areas in Tharaka Nithi County. The drafter just brought in some issues to do with the formation of a mediation committee. However, boundary issues are political. People have been campaigning on this platform. Politicians promise that once elected, they will ensure the residents of affected areas get their land back. This issue is bigger than what meets the eye. Some communities use their position in Government to make sure they evict the less fortunate or communities not in power at that particular time. I would outrightly oppose this Bill because it has not captured some of the issues we are involved in, especially in Tharaka Nithi County where we have historical issues ranging from Ntororo Location, cutting across Turima Location, Murinda, Gakurungu, and Tunyai. This is because every month - Meru County is our neighbour - They have encroached on Tharaka Nithi County. I have supplied the drafter of this Bill with the relevant information. The Kenya Gazette of 1966 stipulates the boundary between Tharaka and Meru Counties, which extends to Kinna, Kithima-kia-Mugumo. Meru National Park was curved from a sublocation called Kanjoro in 1966. This information has not been captured. It is important that before this Bill is discussed, the drafter who happens to be my good friend, should research and put the proper records in place, so that Tharaka Nithi County is not disadvantaged. The mechanism to solve the boundary issues does not offer solutions. I have stated that this is a political process. Most of the boundary issues are manifested through politics. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services, Senate."
}