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"speaker_name": "Mr. Kigen",
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"legal_name": "Luka Kipkorir Kigen",
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"content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to make my contribution towards this very important Motion. Right from the outset, I would like to state that the importance of forest cover in the country cannot be gainsaid. This has been highlighted by Members of Parliament who have raised their concerns here, especially on how we should go ahead and protect the existing forests. Where possible, we need to work out formulations that can reinstate the forest cover to its original position or, at least, maintain it at the level that it is. We have seen the level of deforestation in Cherangany Hills Forest. This has affected the water output and, therefore, the livelihood of those people living downstream. To try and stop or reduce the continued deterioration of this situation, we recommend that those Government agencies that are charged with the responsibility should ensure that the forest cover is protected and harvested according to a programme that insists on renewal of the forest cover, as was done in the earlier days. During the days of the shamba system, when we were growing up, there was a programme of harvesting mature trees and replacing them with new plantations. This was done only with regard to exotic trees. With regard to indigenous trees, there seems not to be any arrangement to obtain seedlings and plant them in areas where they have been harvested. I have in mind a tree like the Elgon Teak in Mount Elgon area. Those trees might get extinct in the short-run. This is because there is no arrangement on how to continue to replant them. I would like to recommend here that it is important for us to work out a new system of managing our forests with a view to incorporating the establishment of seedlings for those indigenous trees which are threatened with extinction. If you go to certain areas, there are trees that are protected. They are actually under a Presidential decree that they should not be harvested. A good example is the cedar tree. When you think about the preservation of those trees, there is no arrangement in place to protect them. We continue to harvest them where they are still available. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, if we have to protect the environment, we must take a serious stance. Even though Parliament is debating this matter today, whatever resolutions that we shall come up with must be implemented by the Government in a way that ensures the sustainability of the forest. The effects of deforestation have extended to areas where there are no big trees which can be used for logging. If you go to semi-arid areas, you will find trees like the Aloe Vera Tree, which is of medicinal value to the communities in those areas. Therefore, there should be a generally new approach towards harvesting of plants in general, not necessarily the forests. All these things put together contribute to the cover of the environment. For us to be able to protect our forests effectively, we need to also provide employment to the major culprits of deforestation who happen to be the young people who do not have jobs. If you fly over the existing forests today, you will discover that there is so much smoke in the big forests. This is a sign that there is charcoal burning going on. This is perpetuated by a lot of school leavers and other jobless people. They need the attention of the Government in terms of providing employment. If these people are employed, I think that is one way of reducing the destruction of forests. The other way of curbing forest destruction is the provision of electricity to our rural communities. That way, not much of the trees will be used as firewood. Today, the major source of fuel is firewood. This has contributed a lot to the destruction of forests. At the moment, we need to ensure that a lot of funds are allocated towards rural electrification so that where people were using firewood as a source of fuel, they would shift and use electricity instead. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we cannot overemphasise the importance of forests. The Government should, therefore, set aside a lot of money to assist in reafforestation. It should July 16, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1863 involve all the beneficiaries. When you look at the waters that flow downwards from, say, Mau Forest, Cherangany Hills Forest and so on, they flow into Lake Victoria, which is a source of big rivers. We should get countries benefiting from this waters contributing towards the protection of our forests. We have treaties that have been standing for many years and they benefit other countries. As we protect these forests, because of the lack of funding that we need to reinstate the forest cover, we should get the support of these people who are benefitting from the treaties that we have signed with them. With those few remarks, I beg to support the Motion."
}