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{
    "id": 148210,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/148210/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 538,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mrs. Mugo",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Public Health and Sanitation",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 85,
        "legal_name": "Beth Wambui Mugo",
        "slug": "beth-mugo"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to support the Motion on the Floor. At the onset, I would like to urge my colleagues that we, as hon. Members, are really national leaders. We were elected to this House, first and foremost, to think about the total good and welfare of this country and not just a portion of it. We should think about where we come from or who we are, because that is a promise that we must give to our children. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are on the verge of a very big danger and threat – that of climate change. I think we have all been following the effects that have been caused by climate change – famine year after year and crops failing. Then we all cry that our people are starving. About 10 million Kenyans or even more are starving! We know that diseases, especially cholera, this last time, affected places where there has never been cholera before. That is because of undependable sources of water. That is because water has dried up almost everywhere in the country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we know the source of climate change is really lack of forest coverage - or the diminishing of forest cover. We have been told that time and time again. Now, we have reached a stage where, unless very urgent action is taken, we are all going to diminish in this country. We know that Kenya has only 2 per cent of forest cover and the recommended forest cover is, at least, 10 per cent. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if we are going to fight disease; if we are going to feed our people; if we are going to be sure of tomorrow, we must all agree that we must conserve the environment. By conserving the environment, we cannot do it emotionally or just by words alone. It is a painful exercise, yes, and I believe the Government has done something. We cannot just stand here and accuse the Government of doing nothing! To begin with, the Prime Minister appointed a task force which came up with a report and its recommendations. Those recommendations are being opposed even before they are discussed! I think we have to move with speed; we have to accept that we have to sacrifice some times. Nobody is being punished as a tribe! We have just been told about the Mt. Kenya people who were removed and for 20 years, they were on the road. So, it is not just a one-area thing. We do not want people to be on the road even for one year! I think it is the Government’s responsibility to resettle genuine people who have no land anywhere, and who are not doing trade with that land I am sure they cannot be all of them--- We hear of big names who own land there. Those big names should first give up that land so that we can start planting trees in those areas."
}