Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1516270,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1516270/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 169,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "I was explaining that as Parliament, we have a responsibility. Apart from the occasions when we have various dignitaries such as presidents and heads of governments coming to lay flowers at the grave of our founding father of the nation, which is an important exercise on special days and occasions, I believe they should plant trees as well. We can set up a good corner for them, so that we continue to lead as an example and Parliament does not look as bare as it is today. This Bill proposes a further amendment to the Forest Conservation and Management Act, by promotion of afforestation and reforestation in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) in this country. That is extremely important. I know for a fact that our ASALs need that particular challenge. I know that the Forest Conservation and Management Act is also being amended. It means that you are now introducing a person who shall be authorised to replace each harvested tree in accordance with the directions of the service. I am not sure but I think that is still on. Three or four years ago, there was a ban on logging, despite the fact that logging is an extremely important industry. You need to counterbalance that, so that for every tree that you cut, there should be a commensurate number of those that you plant. This is an extremely important Bill that is sponsored by one of the Senators who comes from an extremely arid region. I am tremendously happy by what Sen. Abdul Haji is doing. Despite him coming from Garissa, a county whose forest cover I believe is hardly 3 or 4 percent but I am not certain, he is leading in the effort of trying to make those parts of the country have a good forest cover. This is possible because we have seen this done in other parts of the world that are even more arid than Garissa where Sen. Abdul Haji comes from. Lastly is on this issue of settling and formulation of strategies to achieve the annual carbon sequestration targets and for connected purposes. That is an important conversation as well. I know with the coming in of President Trump in America, he is radical in the opposite way or views on how to do climate management. The world will be affected because of the companies that will perhaps not feel the urge to meet their share of trying to be environmentally sustainable in their practices. I do not believe that money alone was the only motivation. I also do not believe that this was a responsibility of one country. The rest of the countries that believe in a green and more sustainable environment should carry on the dream. Who knows? In the years to come, perhaps some of these countries that today do not see the need to lead these efforts will be calling upon us to assist them in one way or the other. Therefore, I want to lend my support into this very noble exercise of ensuring that each county achieves their targets. Sen. Abdul Haji will lay out the strategies that various county governments will do so to ensure that we achieve that particular regard. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with those many comments, I wish to leave it at that. I know that Clause 21(c) has provided for functions of forestry management by county governments. It includes preparation of an annual report with approval of the county assembly. Our county assemblies will confirm those reports on the activities of county governments in relation to this Act and any national policies for forest management. 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."
}