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{
    "id": 1516322,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1516322/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 221,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wakili Sigei",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for allowing me to add my voice to this very important Bill. Firstly, I would like to start by appreciating the Hon. Sen. Abdul Haji for sponsoring such a very important amendment to the Bill. Lately, we have been having the conversation around climate change as one of the most favoured topical issues because of the need to conserve our environment. This particular amendment has come at a very critical time where most, if not all, of the conversations, including our schools, have an aspect of tree planting and protection of trees and our forest cover. I will directly speak to the various clauses which the Bill proposes to amend. I will start with the proposed amendment to Section 8, where, as earlier alluded to by Hon. Sen. Wamatinga, I would ask Hon. Sen. Abdul Haji to consider adding a provision under that particular proposal so that we seek to promote the planting and growing of trees. This is as far as the provisions proposed in Section 8, which reads, (b) “promote the planting of trees on all public land in each county, promote afforestation and reafforestation in arid and semi-arid areas in the country.” Madam Temporary Speaker, I propose that the word “grow” be included after the word ‘planting’ of trees so that we do not only do the act of planting the tree itself. The most important aspect of tree planting, or rather afforestation, is the growing of the trees. It can only happen when we protect the trees that we have planted. If that is possible, that will have a lot of effect on the provisions that are proposed to amend under Section 8 as well as Section 21 of the Forest Conservation Amendment Act, Subsection 1, which inserts an additional provision that will read- “shall promote the planting of trees in all public land vested in the county government.” Madam Temporary Speaker, that is a very important step in making sure that we achieve the objective of this action because planting these trees without giving some policy direction in terms of law and even protection will not lead to us achieving those objectives. I urge Sen. Abdul Haji to consider that provision. Secondly, the introduction of Section 8(E) (b). This is what the draft Bill reads. “Establish at least one tree nursery in each county for trees sustainable for the environment and climatic conditions of the respective counties.” 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."
}