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{
    "id": 1525551,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1525551/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 217,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "The PCPB is also being urged to ensure the availability of effective and safe pest control products for managing various vectors of this disease. They should ensure that the national and county governments provide farmers with training and agricultural extension services. I know there are challenges with funds and resources in many county governments. However, rarely do you find county governments hiring a requisite number of agricultural extension officers. Yet if we have good extension officers in the various parts of the county, then it means our farmers live a decent life. They also could earn better from their farming and respond to issues such as this. I have just noted that the distinguished Senator of Bungoma and chairperson of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries is in the House. Sen. Mungatana and Sen. M. Kajwang, are among the top attendees in this House. Even on many afternoons when the House is virtually empty, you will find them here following proceedings and making their contributions. We must celebrate such Members who take the time to follow the things that happen in this House. The point I was making is that Sen. Wakoli, you must lead this House in establishing in your interactions with county governments, for example, how many agricultural extension officers exist in our devolved units. We want to be told that in Narok County, for example, there 50 extension officers. In Homa Bay and other counties, they are this or that number of extension officers. Why is this necessary? It points to county governments that have placed agriculture and the success of the farmers at the core of their business. I know it is not possible to provide, let us say, to a village, but at least a serious governor must ensure that one or two agricultural extension officers cover every ward. These officers can move around because they have a near personal relationship with the residents of that particular county. Otherwise, you will end up with governors or devolved units that do not react or respond to issues such as what is being canvassed in this Petition. They should not imagine that disease control and surveillance is a function of the national Government. It is expected by our Constitution that our county governments will provide ways and means through which our county governments can respond and react to matters such as this. I hope Sen. Wakoli will lead this House because you have already handled too many Petitions of various citizens of this country who are reminding us of challenges that they are facing. It is not just about maize as is the case here, it includes so many other crops and livestock farming, where citizens are left to battle on their own with no intervention from either the county or the national Government. You must also be able to lead this House in establishing a nexus through which the national and county governments collaborate for the benefit of our farmers. I have already pointed out that it is not possible for Kenya to achieve a thriving economy if our farmers continue to suffer. The easiest way through which this country can have a better and more thriving economy is if we support our farmers as has been the case of late. This is not a complaint. However, I must appreciate that despite the things that we are talking about lately, including even the wheat problem that we were talking 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."
}