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{
"id": 1516306,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1516306/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Wamatinga",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13582,
"legal_name": "Wahome Wamatinga",
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"content": "We know that there are new emerging markets of carbon trade. I am happy to be a Member of the Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources that debated how it can become tradable in the local market. It is also not lost to us that changes in geopolitics internationally, and more so following the election of President Donald Trump, who does not seem to put as much emphasis in extending a helping hand to Third world countries. It is a challenge to us to come up with innovative approaches that will ensure that we sustain our projects without over-reliance on donor funds. I want to thank and encourage all Kenyans, especially the President, for introducing some of the taxes like the eco-levy. This will ensure that people are enticed not to consume goods produced from outside. At the same time, those who produce locally and environmentally friendly goods will also get tax reliefs. These are some of the issue I think we, Senators, should be on the forefront to champion. We must look at the world dynamics and be fully aware that geopolitical changes in the world can affect this country because mostly we rely on budgetary bridging measures that are donor-driven. It is also our role as Senators to encourage our county governments to ensure that they embrace agro-forestry as a way of employment. Trade in forest products can be a good source of employment and Own-Source Revenue (OSR) for county governments. That can only happen if we encourage our people and counties to not only create nurseries for seedlings, but to also push on a substantial amount of money in this sector. As we seek to protect the environment, we will also be increasing our OSR at the same time. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it has been said and I would also like to emphasise here that there are some species of trees that have been planted. It is also important to note that colonialists introduced some species of trees because when they were coming to colonise this country, there were many swamps around. Therefore, they brought eucalyptus, so that they could absorb as much water. Several years down the line, we now have declining water levels, riparian lands and rivers. As a Government, we should make planting of eucalyptus, commonly known as blue gum, be illegal. The ones that have been planted, especially along riverbanks should be uprooted. If we do not do that, we will be encouraging desertification and the water levels in our land will continue to reduce. Finally, as I wind up, as we embrace the tree-planting day, it is also a responsibility that we should take in whichever occasion one attends, be it a church, wedding, funeral or fundraiser, to sensitise people on the importance of ensuring that we grow trees. It has been said here and I do not want to repeat it that some trees are medicinal value. For instance, fruit trees such as avocado, mango and orange can also be used as an alternative sources of food. We know that moving forward, we will be relying a little more on the donor-driven and locally produced goods. As I congratulate the Senator for Garissa, I will be happy to see this realised. Even so, we should not stop there. We should go ahead and require that the corporate world led by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Government organisations ensure that this country does not only become green, but also sustainable for the future generations. That is our obligation and we must ensure that we do so. 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."
}