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{
"id": 1456798,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1456798/?format=api",
"text_counter": 46,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Ogola",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The NLC has a mandate of managing land that is public on behalf of the national and county governments. This is where the management of Siany, which is a wetland and public land, should have been. It is also ironical, as has been stated by my colleagues, that we have the Government struggling with a lot of activities and dealing with aspects of climate change. However, in Siany Wetland, we have another Government entity that is contributing to the destruction of a wetland. The issue of physical planning also comes in this Petition. The Department of Land at the county government should have foreseen that as the population rises, there is a need to review some of the physical plans; that we have this wetland, but we equally have the populations growing. So, what should happen? Development and physical plans are reviewed over a period of time, specifically in a 10-year plan. That is why I say the County Government of Nyamira should have foreseen that as population increased, they needed a primary school and the prison as indicated probably needed some space. However, this must be brought in a harmonized plan so that people live in Siany peacefully. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in the Petition, we see that there is interference with the source of fresh and clean water for these people. We all know that water is a basic need and it is a source of livelihood. We have often seen that when our communities lack water, there is insecurity because people are struggling to get water for themselves and livestock. That is why we must preserve these sources of water for both domestic use and grazing. As I support this Petition, that the remaining parcel of land must be set aside, ring-fenced and must be kept for the community to graze their livestock as was intended initially. I also request the County Government of Nyamira to enhance their restoration programmes for the Siany. This wetland must be preserved. We can now see that the KPS has come in and have put up buildings. Some of them are shanties and now we are seeing a lot of pollution in the streams around the Siany area. With pollution, we know there will be health issues. It is important that the county government enhances their programmes. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I support this, it is also pathetic that the KPS is leading in the degradation of this wetland. A primary school has been built for the people of Siany, the Physical Planning Department of Nyamira County must move ahead to protect all the other areas. As I indicated earlier, the NLC must up their game. As a committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, we deal with many petitions from all areas involving the NLC. I, therefore, call upon the new nominee for the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development that when the vetting is done and he resumes office, the issue of NLC must be looked into. From the observations I have had in the Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources, this NLC seems to be struggling. They are either not facilitated well. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the sector needs to review some of their functions. If they are not able to serve Kenyans, then their mandate must be looked into. Last week, we were dealing with a statement from our sister, the Senator for Isiolo. This is a problem and a challenge she has had with the NLC for over one year, which is unresolved. Every time, it looks like NLC is unable to solve it. 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."
}