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{
    "id": 1492056,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1492056/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 190,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Abdul Haji",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Plants are the Earth's natural air purifiers. Through the process of photosynthesis, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases that is driving global warming. By reforesting and planting vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions, we can capture and store vast amounts of carbon. This process is known as carbon sequestration. It helps reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, slowing down the rate of climate change. One of the key challenges we face in arid regions is desertification. The degradation of land into deserts due to unsustainable land use due to climate changes, and therefore, vegetating these areas not only prevents further land degradation but also restores the soil's health. Trees and plants act as barriers against wind and water erosion, retaining moisture in the soil, improving its fertility and allowing ecosystems to thrive once again. A healthy ecosystem can regulate local climates making these regions more resilient to drought and extreme weather events. In effect, elevating these regions from relying on Government food aid and animal restocking during droughts and devastations caused by climate change at an expense the Government will be much too happy not to incur. Thirdly, vegetating arid lands also provide a crucial habitat for wildlife. I am not sure if you are aware that Wajir County hosts the very rare white giraffe or albino giraffe species. In the south of Garissa, we also have an endangered species known as hirola, a type of antelope, which is only found in the south of Garissa. Mr. Deputy Speaker, sir, many plants and animal species are native to these regions and play vital roles in maintaining the balance of the local ecosystem. By restoring vegetation, we are encouraged by a diversity which strengthens ecosystem resilience and provides a natural defence against the impacts of climate change. An initiative of re-vegetating or planting trees in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) is not a new thing because it is something which has been done before. Back in 1980s, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) started cultivating Mathenge in Baringo County to fight land degradation. The World Bank partnered with Kenya’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, rallying local communities to plant trees where there were previously none. The idea was to make land seemingly barren to the eyes appear green and beautiful. Today, Mathenge is one of the most problematic and invasive species that has come to Kenya. It has stretched out across from the Great Rift Valley to the coastlines, all the way up to the northern parts of Kenya. The plant which is native to Central and South America is an alien in our soils. It spreads at an exponential rate, its dense stems obstruct access to natural resources, and it taps and dries out already limited groundwater supplies. It is one of the most devastating weeds that we have ever encountered. It makes the soil unusable."
}