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{
"id": 142555,
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"content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, due to global warming, temperatures all over the country are higher than they were in the 1960s and 1970s. Night time and early morning temperatures in Nairobi used to be 11 degree Celsius. It has risen to 13 degrees Celsius today. The severity of the food situation will be felt from August although it is already a reality in many homes. Through the Ministry of Agriculture, the Government made concerted efforts including provision of farm implements and subsidized fertilizers and seeds. But the inadequacy of rains dampened the morale and expectations of our farmers. Consequently, only 1.2 million hectares of land are under cultivation instead of 1.4 million hectares. In a good year, we usually harvest 28 million bags of maize, which is the national staple food. This year, we expect to get only 20 million bags while our national consumption is 33 million bags. With regard to wheat, we expect to harvest 360,000 tonnes against the consumption of 900,000 tonnes. We expect to harvest 120,000 metric tonnes against a consumption of 280,000 metric tonnes; red meat - 430,000 metric tonnes against 330,000 metric tonnes and milk â 4 billion litres against 2.8 million litres of consumption. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have a near total crop failure in the lower eastern region where the expected food production has been downgraded by 40 per cent. Instead of the 1.3 million bags, we expect 0.8 million bags. Rift Valley Province may harvest 13.5 million bags. Normally that region which is the bread basket of our country harvests 20 million bags. In the South Rift, yields are expected to fall by up to 30 per cent. The story is the same in western Province, central highlands and Central Province where the crop is moisture stressed. This is the fifth straight season in which the country has experienced inadequate rainfall. If the short rains in October and November also fail, which is most likely, we could have a catastrophe. The scenario poses a problem to our country, economy and security. Pastoralists are crossing into neighbouring countries like Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda in search of pasture and water. The price of grains is too high for this time of the year in some places. The School Feeding Programme which currently caters for 1.2 million pupils is in distress. In some places, schools have the money but there is no food to buy. The Government estimates that the food situation directly affects about 10 million people who require urgent assistance. In the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), livestock are dying and scavenging for pastures in game parks where they are pushing wild animals out. This could develop into a full-scale wildlife/human conflict and a massive environmental degradation. Up to 130 livestock have died mostly in Tana River, Isiolo, Marsabit, Mwingi, Makueni, Mbeere, Kajiado and Garissa. The media has reported cases of famine-related deaths but the relevant Ministries say that none of these deaths have been directly linked to hunger or lack of water. I have asked the Ministry of State for Special Programmes and the Ministry of Medical Services for a full investigation and detailed report presented to my office on this issue. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the shortage of rain has led to acute shortage of water for domestic and industrial uses. It is likely that the cause of inter-clan conflicts would pit pastoralists against grain growers in some areas. The Rift Valley, Athi, Tana and Ewaso Nyiro North are water starved. Greater Baringo, Nakuru, Turkana, West Pokot, Keiyo, Marakwet, Narok and Nyandarua have acute water problems. Nairobi,"
}