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{
    "id": 191559,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/191559/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 81,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kiptanui",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 52,
        "legal_name": "Jackson Kiplagat Kiptanui",
        "slug": "jackson-kiptanui"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) I am aware that Lake Naivasha is on the verge of extinction as a result of soil erosion and excessive illegal farming around the lake causing soil erosion at an alarming rate. The Government, indeed, recognises the vital importance of Lake Naivasha to the local community and other stakeholders who derive their livelihood from the lake. The Government also facilitated the listing of Lake Naivasha a second wetland of international importance after Lake Nakuru under the RAMSAR Convention. (b) My Ministry has undertaken measures to ensure that conservation of the lake and its catchment and wise use of its resources. This includes gazettement of water quality regulations, Legal Notice No.120 of 2006, with strict water quality standards. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is ensuring compliance through enforcement of this Act in consultation with the relevant lead agencies. In this regard, NEMA inspectors have been conducting inspections to ensure that farmers who are in breach are made to comply or face the prescribed penalties. My Ministry is spearheading the development of Kenya's National Wetlands Policy. This policy was approved by the National Environment Council and now awaits approval by the Cabinet and the National Assembly. The policy gives direction on the management of the lake and other wetlands in order to minimise soil erosion and siltation caused by poor land use activities. In addition, it seeks to facilitate development and gazettement of Lake Naivasha Management Plan through an intensive stakeholder consultation process. Measures to protect the lake from pollution and degradation are specified in this plan. Unfortunately, implementation of the plan is currently halted by a court injunction. My Ministry is also spearheading the development of Lake Bolosat Management Plan. Measures are being undertaken by various Government institutions, CBOs and NGOs to conserve this lake and its catchment, which is the source of Malewa River that feeds into Lake Naivasha. In conclusion, my Ministry is in control of development activities around the lake, by ensuring that any new development around the lake obtains an environmental impact assessment licence from NEMA in order to mitigate against negative environmental impact. The National Environment Management Authority, which falls under my Ministry, also ensures that new developments adhere to the requirement to designate a 30-metre riparian reserve around the lake to minimise pollution and siltation due to soil erosion. Any illegal development should be reported to the District Environment Officers with copies to the Director-General of NEMA for enforcement 1484 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES July 1, 2008 of necessary compliance action."
}