Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 1516277,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1516277/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 176,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Okenyuri",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "have been having for some time, though worryingly, it sticks at the top. I have tried doing my own analysis and gathering views, especially from ordinary people, the general public. Most of them are hearing about why we need to plant trees to help deal with climate change or have it as an economic activity that they should engage in, but most of them do not understand what we are seeking to achieve. Therefore, it is very sad that this remains an elite conversation and that should not be the case. Climate change needs to be a subject that our citizens need to understand as well as understand that planting trees is not just for them. They can equally make money and also contribute to tackling some of the environmental challenges we are experiencing. When I look at some of the proposed amendments that are coming in, like formulating and implementing plans for sourcing tree seeds and seedlings that are suitable for the environment, I immediately see an economic opportunity. Our people can then go ahead and have so many of these seed beds, have seedlings which can be purchased for planting and in one way or another make money. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this should not be left to county governments only because there is need to accommodate individual farmers or people who want to do tree planting for commercial purpose. The issue of having to establish tree nurseries in each county needs to go beyond the political jurisdictions. This is because, counties are going to do this but without the goodwill. Why not have this trickle down to schools, social places and encourage people to quickly take this up so that it does not look like it is governments only that are in charge of tree planting. The moment you want people to join an activity, you will need to make them feel part and parcel and see how they are going to benefit out of it. When you want one’s support, you have to appeal to their interests. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, beyond Kenyans being called upon to participate in tree planting, they need to also look at the economic value they are going to derive from venturing into this and the larger effect it is going to have on the environment because we have so many challenges we are facing as a result of climate change and we need to sensitise our people. That is why I have been emphasizing civic education. Civic education is not just for political matters but for people to understand and for Kenyans to have the culture of planting trees right from the way they grow, going to school, and then when now they are citizens who can make decisions for this country. Once we have that culture, we will not have a huge problem where we have to run campaigns to tell people why they need to plant trees. So, in as much as we have those challenges, Sen. Haji, this is a very good proposal that you are bringing to this House. It is not just for semi-arid areas, even in places like Kisii where we feel like we are in highland areas, people need to still venture into afforestation so that when we are cutting down others, we are planting other trees so that we do not have our riverbeds running dry resulting to shortage of water. If that happens, what you will see is schoolgirls having to search for water over long distances. That will affect their performance in school. Mr. Temporary Speaker, I equally see the Bill proposing that we have the Forest Conservation Management Act amended to include – that a person who harvests a tree shall replace the tree under the direction in an area designated by the service. 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."
}