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"id": 197756,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Outa",
"speaker_title": "The Member for Nyando",
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"id": 133,
"legal_name": "Fredrick Otieno Outa",
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"content": " Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity, after waiting for a long time. I just learnt that we are \"monos\" and are learning new tricks. For those colleagues who are here, who, are for the first time after the confusion, meeting me, my names are Mr. Frederick Outa and I represent the people of Nyando Constituency. I stand to support the Presidential Address, which was read to us in this House on 6th March, 2008. The Address touched on a number of issues, which I truly believe, if they are implemented, will enhance the livelihood of Kenyans and also aid in the realisation of the Vision 2030. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, Kenya went through a lot of turmoil. I want to beseech all hon. Members in this 10th Parliament that we should not pretend and hide behind our egos. We need to realise that there was a crisis. We need to stand to be counted. God has redeemed us once again, after our two heros agreed to sign the national peace accord. That has given us, Kenyans, a chance to once again smile. I was one of the committee members during the turmoil for my party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). What I witnessed is not something that I want us to forget. During that time we were trying to evacuate people from volatile areas to the so-called \"safer grounds\". What I witnessed was unimaginable. I personally visited the morgue. I witnessed many corpses that were lying there, because of the disputed general election results. Here we are today, as hon. Members, given the duty to serve the society, the Government and men. I want to appeal to my colleagues that we need to honourably support the peace accord. When the Bill comes here, let us all support our principals. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues. I want to agree that the two heros, His Excellency the President and the Prime Minister-designate, Mr. Raila, have demonstrated beyond any doubt that they are the heroes of this country. They have shunned self interest, and have come together. Now we can reason in this House, and are able to pass the Bills, so that Kenyans can live together. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, last year I was campaigning in Nyando Constituency. One thing I was telling my constituents when I was going round was that if they elected me, I would take their message to the august House, so that the Government would intervene in what we call the \"interference of floods\" every year. This is something that I want to tell the Government about. A lot of research has been done; a lot of money has been spent, but each year Nyando Constituency is affected by floods. I would want to take a word back to them, that during my tenure here, people will no longer suffer from the floods menace. The Kano Plains is a rich area. It is an area that is considered one of the rice growing areas in Kenya. One thing I would want to see is that--- Since the inception of the National Irrigation Board (NIB), which was given the mandate to advise farmers on the new technologies, it neglected its duties and the scheme in western Kenya, that is, Ahero and West Kano collapsed. Today, the NIB is not carrying out its mandate which was entrenched in an Act of Parliament. The NIB is now under the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, what is happening now is that rice farmers are suffering because the Government is no longer employing agronomists. So, most farmers in my constituency have suffered losses because of negligence on the part of the NIB. I would want this House to revisit and redefine the roles of the NIB because, today, they only supply water to peasant March 13, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 171 armers who pay for it upfront. They have neglected research and, therefore, the seed that they are giving the rice farmers is below the required standard. Therefore, most farmers are affected by blight. For example, last year we lost over Kshs20 million. Last, but not least, I would like to thank the people of Nyando Constituency for giving me an opportunity, on my first attempt, to serve them. I cannot forget my mentors, Mr. Pitte and Norma Bennet; they are not Kenyans. They are non-Kenyans who lived in this country as missionaries. This couple met me in the streets when I was an orphan and they showed me love. They took me under their wings, educated me, both locally and abroad and today I can debate in this House because of them. These were non-Kenyans; not Luos or Kikuyus, but they were in this country and saw a human being created in God's image and, therefore, they showed me love. I would like to tell hon. colleagues that we should all shun tribalism because it kills. I beg to support the Speech of the President."
}