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"speaker_name": "Mr. Konchellah",
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"legal_name": "Gideon Sitelu Konchella",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity. As I contribute to this Motion for Adjournment, first, I want to congratulate this House and you, the Deputy Speaker, for what has been going on for the last one year. The legal reforms that we have been able to push through this House have made this Parliament different. For the first time, we have been able to push the agenda for this country into the forefront, so that our people can get the services that they deserve. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) goes home and the new Parliamentary Select Committee selects those who are going to undertake those roles, we would like men of integrity and who are blameless to lead the process of electoral reforms in this country to the future. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, out of the problems that we went through, particularly in the Rift Valley--- Last week, I had a meeting of all the churches in the South Rift. We want to change the name of \"Rift Valley\" to \"Peace Valley\". Indeed, that is the name we have given it. That is because for us to see our people destroying themselves and we are their leaders, I think it is something that God will not forgive us for! We should change the name of \"Rift Valley\" to \"Peace Valley\". I am speaking for the people of \"South Peace Valley\" and we have resolved to live in peace together. That is the only way. None of us brought ourselves there, but God made us to be there. It is time we lived in peace and moved forward with development! Numbers are not an issue. In fact, numbers are a blessing if they are used for economic advantage. When you have numbers, then you are able to multiply your resources and investments, so long as everybody has something to eat. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the issue of food is crucial to our people. It will be a pity if we, as Kenyans today, continue importing food and yet, we can grow food. Let us prioritise our development. I want the Grand Coalition Government to prioritise development so that our priority in terms of budgeting and allocation of resources should provide enough food for the people, build the infrastructure, take care of the needs of Kenyans and support education. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, cattle rustling is a problem which is bothering people. It is causing poverty. We have a community next to my constituency which transcends the Kenyan border up to Tanzania and, unfortunately, that community has something on its own in terms of human existence. That is because it is destroying the livelihood of other people and killing them. It is stealing cattle from my constituency. Even the police are not able to hunt them because they come with very powerful weaponry. We want the Government to deal with this, because it is able to deal with banditry and cattle rustling. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will not leave the issue of the Mau and Transmara Forests, because it is the life line. If we allow people to live in the Mau and Transmara and destroy the forests as they are doing now, we will be destroying the future of our children. I am asking this 4200 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES December 17, 2008 Government to rise up to the occasion and look at the whole issue of the environment and forests, and control the cutting down of trees. The Government should take over all forested land and protect it for the future of our children. This is something serious! It is something this House must legislate on. Another thing that we must do, is that while I thanked the House when it passed the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill, because I was not here but I support what it did, we have to be conscious of the lives of our people. Our brothers of the Fourth Estate must know that this is the only country we have and we cannot afford to destroy it. Let us check ourselves. You check me and let me also check you, so that, as brothers, we can live in this country and secure for our people the future that all of us need, because all our families and children live in the same country. We will never sit here to gag the Press or deny information to our people. No! Not through here, but let us not show blood, or our people dying on the streets just, so that people get worried and think that there is no law and order in the country. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}