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{
    "id": 1623392,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1623392/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 142,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suba North, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Millie Odhiambo-Mabona",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker for giving me this opportunity. Before I second, I wish to welcome the students who have come to Parliament today. It is truly a privilege. They may not realise it now, but very few students get the opportunity to come into this House. When you are here, remember that some of us were once your age and once aspired to be where we are today. With a focused mind, it is entirely possible for you to get here. So, if there is anything you take away from today, let it be the belief in yourself and the possibilities ahead of you. You can become anything, not only politicians, but engineers, doctors, and much more. On behalf of Parliament, we welcome you to the Parliament of Kenya. Even as I second this Bill, I wish to congratulate the Chair for bringing it forward. I shall be brief. Under the 2010 Constitution, we now have a devolved system of governance that channels significant funding to counties, particularly in agriculture and health. In the previous governance structure, extension services were robust. However, perhaps due to teething problems, although it has taken some time, we find that extension services in most counties have collapsed. This is unfortunate, as Kenya is agriculturally rich. This is the case and yet our agricultural output has declined significantly. Despite our potential, we are not food sufficient. We could even be exporters of food, but the lack of investment and focus on extension services has compromised that potential. Therefore, it will be very important that we re-focus on those extension services including putting a lot of effort on capacity building and ensuring that devolution works at all levels; even to the village level. Many of our farmers are currently struggling on their own. I do not want to speak much because I know there are many Members who wish to contribute to this Bill. If there is anything else remaining, I will bring by way of any proposed amendments. I congratulate the Chairman, and I second. Thank you."
}