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"speaker_name": "Ms. Chepchumba",
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"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you, for giving me this chance to also contribute to this Motion. I have a few issues to raise and one is on food security. Kenya is an agricultural country that relies entirely on this sector to sustain her economy. I feel that issues touching on food are crucial, and the Government should consider allocating more resources to this sector, because it is not an issue of the Minister to push issues. However, if the policy is changed and there is more allocation to this sector, it will deal with the issue of food insecurity. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we know that the majority of Kenyans cannot afford a meal a day. Our role, as legislators and representatives of the people, is to ensure that people have food, because this is a basic need. Each one of us requires food on the table. So, I think that this is a sector that the Government should put more emphasis on, by allocating more resources. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, when we talk of Vision 2030, sometimes it does not make sense to the common mwananchi, because they are not getting the basic needs that they require. Yes, it is good for the country to plan up to the year 2030, but even now as I speak, there are people who do not have food to eat this evening. As legislators, we need to focus on the issues affecting wananchi. On insecurity, why do we have cattle rustling? Does it mean that people in those areas love cattle rustling as an activity? No! It is because of poverty. If we could address the issue of poverty by allocating resources to these areas, insecurity will be a thing of the past. December 17, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 4213 Today, I am happy because we passed the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill. I equate the Constitution to an organ like the heart. Without this organ, there is no life. I think that Kenyans have been yearning for a new Constitution for a long time. By passing this Bill, it is a way forward. Kenyans need a new Constitution and it is up to us, as legislators, to fast-track the process, so that we give it to them within the shortest time possible. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to highlight the issue of teachers. Why should we wait until teachers plan to go on strike in this 21st Century? Teachers are doing their work. They have the obligation to perform their work, but should they always ask for a pay rise? I think the Ministry should look at this as a serious issue. Parents do not want their children to miss classes because teachers have not been listened to. I think that teachers should not be let to go on strike. Their issues should be addressed within the shortest time possible. Even as we go for Christmas, the Ministry should give them a pay rise as a Christmas gift so that they can concentrate on their work. This also applies to other Ministries. We have nurses and other Government employees. They should never go to the streets again. If we stopped this and listened to them--- They are not asking for much. They are asking for improvement of their terms of service. We also have retirees. The Ministry concerned with retirement benefits should ensure there are proper plans to pay teachers, doctors, nurses or officers at whatever level, all their dues so that they can also live happily after retirement, like everyone of us would want. But cases of having retirees go back to their offices knocking and seeking services are taking us to the old age. This issue should be addressed. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, before I end, there is only one issue---"
}