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{
    "id": 1443593,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1443593/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 182,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Oketch Gicheru",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Kainuk and when conversations about the issue that was challenging in the North Rift; serious banditry and serious insecurity issues, I realised how sometimes most members were removed from this issue, they could not connect with them. When you come back and you are told about the ordeal that people experience and the hardship that people are facing in those areas, it becomes easier for this House to address issues very close to the people in terms of lawmaking. I also remember very well during the time that we were in Turkana, that it was not just about sitting and being able to pass laws or conduct the ordinary and routine work of the Senate, we had very rigorous plans that could be able to expose the community of Turkana and the larger county of Turkana to the eyes, minds and even the hearts of the Senators who managed to go there. We were able to see firsthand the challenges that communities in Turkana are facing. I had the privilege of going to Katilu Irrigation Scheme and I learnt a lot about the challenges that the people of Turkana were facing. Even at a time when the Government had tried to avail things like cheap fertilizer, and cheap seeds for people to grow crops and have a livelihood, but because of poor infrastructure and poor institutions in those areas, they could not receive these commodities in time and plant on time. We saw how difficult it was just for them to get seeds such that some places still went without even planting crops. When we went to the Katilu Irrigation Scheme, we also saw that because of the ongoing conflict between communities, sometimes it was very hard for young people to go to their shambas and cultivate and make a living out of the irrigation. When we came back here, these are some of the things that informed our thoughts and the urgency in handling issues that affect Turkana County. I remember very well we also got to visit the oil fields in Turkana, and you could see the challenges that the people of Turkana were facing. Sometimes the needs that are manifesting at the grassroots are so removed from us, yet we are drawn with a very wonderful diversity of individuals that sometimes the story that they are telling us here--- When you meet the Senator for Mandera County, Sen. Ali Roba, he will tell you about women who still go miles to fetch water and the amazing work that people in Mandera are trying to grow trees and build water catchment areas, so that they can have a greener land and less dry land. It becomes just stories because that is the diversity that pulls us together. When you go to the ground and see the struggle and the human spirit away from the struggle, when you see them trying to implement something, it brings the point home for the policies and laws that we are passing in this House. I know for sure that Busia is one of the counties that was seriously affected by floods in this country. Sometimes, when we see those headlines on television or in newspapers, it just ends there. You read about it and see it in the news and then, the image is gone yet, the people in Busia are facing these challenges every single day of their life. As the Chairperson of the Disaster Response Committee of my party, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), we had a chance to go to Busia on two occasions. I thank them very much. One, we went to a place called Malaba Central to look at the impact of floods in Busia and afterwards, we went to Budalangi. These are Kenyans that have lost 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 and AudioServices, Senate."
}