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"speaker_name": "Mr. J. Nyagah",
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"legal_name": "Joseph Nthiga Nyagah",
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"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to thank the hon. Member for Changamwe for bringing this matter, which is of great national importance, to this House. This subject has been hanging over this nation for a long time and yet we know that it is dangerous. It is not good, in this modern times, to continue talking about tribal clashes in this country. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have a lot of interest in this subject because I was a former Minister for Lands and Settlement. Therefore, I understand the actual problem from the Ministry's point of view. Secondly, there is an area in my constituency called Mwea Settlement Scheme. It has the potential of having the same problem as Mt. Elgon District. I would, therefore, like this problem solved before it spills over into my constituency and other parts of this country. Thirdly, Likia Settlement Scheme also has potential for clashes. We need to address problems facing these three settlement schemes before the situation gets worse. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have been following this problem closely. For example, I have sat with professionals from the Sabaot community and they properly briefed me on what has been happening on the ground. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, last week, our friends from the United States of America (USA) 346 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES April 4, 2007 raised substantial amount of money. They gave it to the Red Cross in order to feed the 40,000 or so people, displaced from their farms. This area has been the food basket of this country. It is a shame for this country that such a thing is happening now! Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the district is closed. Very few people have access to it. My own bishop from the Anglican Church was not allowed to give food to the people in the district. The Press and other people are not allowed into this district. All we can do is to speculate and imagine what could be happening there. It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that there is peace and a lasting solution is found. We must involve local elders to find a lasting solution to this problem. That is one of the ways that problems are dealt with in these communities. The process must be all-inclusive. If it is not so, we are wasting time here. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, if the Government is not willing to solve this problem, the Red Cross should be given the mandate to deal with it. I know the Government is capable of dealing with the problem because it has the instruments of power. It has the intelligence information and can deal with this problem decisively. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the result of this conflict is that we now have internally displaced people. There are people who have left their shambas and are now moving into Uganda. The Teso and surrounding communities are being affected by this conflict. This is dangerous and can lead to a bigger crisis than we are imagining. I know and appreciate that this is an election year. I know we are wooing votes. Let us not do it the way we are doing it now. If the intention is to win the elections, let us do so, peacefully. I have met candidates who are not allowed to get into that district. They cannot enter that district to campaign! They are scared of being shot dead. They are scared of entering the district because they know the implications. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I feel very sorry for the people of that area and that is why I stand to second this Motion. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to see the involvement of churches in solving this problem. However, the responsibility lies squarely with the Government. They have all the instruments of power. They must know what is happening because I know what they did in Likia---"
}