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{
    "id": 174585,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/174585/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 108,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Lagat",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 64,
        "legal_name": "Elijah Kiptarbei Lagat",
        "slug": "elijah-lagat"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this Motion. All along, we have been talking about food security, especially the rising food prices. We need to address the rising food prices. I would like to request this House to address the issue of increasing prices of farm inputs such as fertilizer. Farmers spend a lot of money in 4206 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES December 17, 2008 planting crops. We know that the price of fuel and fertilizer rose and that is the reason why the prices of farm outputs shot up. In Kenya, we should think about improving our agriculture courses in learning institutions. Most farmers are not qualified. They do not have the required skills for farming. In our education curriculum, agriculture should be made a compulsory subject. That way, we will improve farming in Kenya. We have been talking about increased levels of poverty. Because of the ever increasing population because when we compare our population with that of countries in Europe, for example, Denmark which had a population of four million in 1900 while Kenya had a population of 2.5 million--- Currently, Kenya has a population of 36 million while Denmark's is 5 million. So, in Denmark, there has been only an increase of one million people in a Century. This means that Denmark can easily plan for its people unlike here in Kenya where the population is rising very fast. This is affecting us because it creates poverty. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank my colleagues for passing the Kenya Constitution (Amendment) Bill yesterday. It is because of the co-operation we had that we worked in solidarity. It showed Kenyans the unity we have as parliamentarians. I would also like to thank the Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports because of the Kshs1 million that was allocated to the Ministry to take care of our youth. Currently, our athletes are preparing for the World Cross Country which will take place next year. They need support, especially in my area where there are many athletes. They have given us a good name as Kenyans. We are proud of them for the good work they have been doing out there. I thank the Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports for the good work she is doing. I had just submitted a Question about the Kapsabet-Eldoret Road which is in a bad state. My people were planning to protest because the road is impassable. I did not have a chance to ask a Question because it is in the pipeline and we are going on Recess. My people are so worried because the road is impassable. It causes a lot of damage to road users. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, before I conclude, I wish the people of Emgwen and the entire House a merry Christmas and prosperous new year. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}