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{
    "id": 1415049,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1415049/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 341,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mbeere North, DP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Ruku GK",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Temporary Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock regarding continued sale of Roundup Herbicide in the country by Bayer East Africa Limited. Roundup is a brand of herbicides used in weed control through spraying. The herbicide was originally produced by Monsanto, which was later acquired by Bayer in 2018. The use of Roundup has been a subject of immense international concern based on multiple credible studies including the International Agency on Research on Cancer which has found that glyphosate, the active component of Roundup, is carcinogenic. So far, victims of cancer associated with exposure to Roundup in Europe and the USA have been awarded compensation amounting to billions of US Dollars, which Bayer has settled; and indeed, the company is still fighting several other cases currently. It is therefore disheartening that despite the global scientific proof of carcinogenic effects of Roundup, the Bayer East Africa continues to sell the toxic herbicide in the Kenyan market. This exposes Kenyans to the danger of cancer through: 1. drinking glyphosate contaminated water from rivers and underground water. 2. contact by farmers during spraying. 3. eating foods from contaminated soils. 4. contamination of aquatic resources such as fish or seafoods. It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock on the following: 1. Under what circumstances does Bayer East Africa continue to sell Roundup in the country for use in weed control despite the Roundup being scientifically linked to cancer? 2. What studies and findings has Bayer East Africa documented and submitted to the relevant Government agencies on the effects of Roundup, including profiled cases of harmful exposure, the mitigation measures and compensation so far extended to victims of carcinogenic effects of Roundup in Kenya? 3. Why has the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) not banned the use of Roundup in the country and when does the Government intend to act so as to protect Kenyans from the risk of cancer resulting from continued exposure to Roundup? I thank you."
}