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"id": 174539,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. M. Kilonzo",
"speaker_title": "The Minister for Nairobi Metropolitan Development",
"speaker": {
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"legal_name": "Mutula Kilonzo",
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"content": " Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Kenya has again surprised itself and the world. The last four or five days have proven that Kenya will always rise to the occasion, and I would like to support this Motion. I will begin by thanking and congratulating you. You remember the debate that we had during your election but since that time, you have proven that you are not a senior politician and lawyer by accident. It will be recalled that recently, you even hosted us to a wonderful seminar where we learnt the role of this Parliament in peace-making. I think the lessons that we learnt have come to the surface this afternoon. It will also be recalled that you presided over the first ever National Accord and Reconciliation Act in this country. That Act also created a new office that has proven that this 4186 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES December 17, 2008 country can, indeed, reform itself and as a consequence, we created the Office of the Prime Minister and two Deputy Prime Ministers, which Offices have helped this country to transcend enormous difficulties. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is in that line that I want to congratulate this House for offering political leadership over the last three, four days and urge the President and the Prime Minister to also rise to the occasion and sign the agreement on the Waki Commission Report. That agreement will enable this country to yet again, come to this House and demonstrate to the world that Kenyans need not go to international tribunals. We will come here and formulate the necessary laws and regulations, create the necessary tribunals and, again, using the methods we have used over the last three days, prove to the world that Kenya is not a failed state, and that Kenya has the right political leadership at this time. Therefore, I hope that those hon. Gentlemen will borrow a leaf from what Parliament has done, seek consensus between themselves and sign that agreement before the deadline set by that Commission has expired. I also want to touch on a subject that is very close to my heart; the subject of food for our citizens. This country, over the last few months, has faced a challenge that is phenomenonal; that is the challenge of feeding our citizens. For the first time in the history of this country, we have two prices for an essential commodity called \"unga\". I think time has come to ensure that this country--- The per capita size of arable land for each citizen is sufficient for us to feed ourselves. Therefore, I believe that if we use modern methods of irrigation, as in Israel, methods of damming up our waters, we can produce sufficient food for our country. There are challenges in dry areas, otherwise known as ASAL regions. Right now, they are depending on famine relief, because the food situation in the country is dramatic in the sense that there is not enough food. I want to challenge the Government that during the period that we are going to be on recess, it makes sure that our citizens in those areas get sufficient food in an efficient manner, so their citizenship is protected and they feel that they have a sense of belonging to this country. This is a very important area and I hope that my colleague, Dr. Shaban, when she contributes to this Motion, will tell us what efforts she is going to be making, because we are going to be on recess, to ensure that every one of our citizens, throughout the country, gets sufficient food, particularly during this festive season of Christmas; she should make sure that, that food, for those who can afford it, comes at a reasonable price. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}