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{
    "id": 1479965,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1479965/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 138,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Aden Duale",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. If you allow me because Hon. Atandi raised a question on it, the Constitution and the people of Kenya in their wisdom have allowed separation of powers between the two levels of government. Zoning, waste management and pollution, whether it is air or sound, is a function of county governments. However, I assure this House, now that I am the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, we will not issue a licence. If we do not issue a licence, nobody can build. I want Members to help the country. People build flats that people who live in them or in such residential areas have no access to light and fresh air. Imagine, if one has young children, they will not grow. I am not a doctor but Dr. Pukose, and doctors in this House, and those who are listening, will agree with me. However, I have given the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) strict instructions that it is not going to be business as usual. On the question by Hon. Koech, I can confirm that there is existence of those two companies, one in Narok West Constituency, that is bordering Chepalungu Constituency. I also can confirm that those companies practise large-scale farming using irrigation. The second question is to confirm the allegations that have been made by the residents of those five or six villages that said companies are engaged in cloud seeding. Hon. Deputy Speaker, on the second question, that they are engaged in cloud seeding, allow me to briefly explain to the House what cloud seeding is all about. Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that changes the amount or the type of precipitation from the clouds in terms of rain. There has been research that has been done and that is aimed at establishing whether this is viable, but all studies have shown that the input expenses are far more than the benefits. The Ministry, through the Kenya Meteorological Department, is not aware that such entities engage in cloud seeding activities within the said locality. On the alteration of rain patterns in the area of interest, data available to us from the neighbouring Longisa Automatic Station that is owned by Kenya Meteorological Department, indicates that there has been an increase in the total annual rainfall in that area from 2018 to 2023. I have attached the figure and the maps to this document, which I have shared with the Members. Secondly, allow me to highlight what the Ministry, through the Kenya Meteorological Department, has done. The Kenya Meteorological Department recently installed automatic weather stations in Chepalungu Constituency and all its environs. However, specific variability in the specific locations could not be established due to lack of data. The Ministry and the Department will continue monitoring the data for analysis and draw adequate information. I The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}