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"id": 243138,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Ochilo-Ayacko",
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"id": 347,
"legal_name": "Ochilo George Mbogo Ayacko",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this Motion. The Mover of this Motion is a good friend of mine. We have, in fact, had a discussion as to whether I should move an amendment to this Motion. However, I have changed my mind and wish to go on record as opposing the Motion. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in modern governance systems, the word \"ban\" is never used. So, as part of the democratic world, Kenya should never be encouraged to ban anything. The appropriate word that is permissible in modern democracies is \"regulate\". So, my first reason for opposing this Motion is the fact that the Mover is urging this House to ask the Government to \"ban\" all genetically modified products in Kenya. The word \"ban\" is undemocratic, tyrannical and archaic. So, we should reject this Motion for the reason that it is asking the Government to ban such products. The word \"regulate\" is open to suggestions, wisdom and debate. I believe that the Mover is an inherent democrat. As such, he should have had the word \"regulate\" in mind, and not the word \"ban\". The Minister who spoke on behalf of the Government indicated very well that a legislation to regulate this new technology is on its way. I believe that my good friend, Capt. Nakitare, will have occasion to contribute to the debate on how the Government should regulate the use of genetic modification or engineering of biodiversity. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Motion talks about the banning of food and seeks to have this House resolve to urge the Government to ban all genetically modified products. I think the matter should have been confined to genetically modified food. If you look at the Millennium Development Goals of governments in the world, you will note that the most important challenge that we have in the world is how to eliminate extreme hunger. If you are a subscriber to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, you know that all Governments in the world have collectively and individually resolved to eliminate extreme hunger. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, those who believe in metaphysical idealism know very well that the Biblical Esau sold his birth right to Jacob because of hunger. He had gone to pursue Godly issues and when he came back home, he was extremely hungry and decided to sell his birth right. I am sure that if we ban genetically modified foods in this country, many Kenyans will sell their birth rights. If we ban the production of genetically modified foods, I am sure that many Kenyans will lose their pride. The streets of the poor world are filled with prostitutes who do not know where their next meal will come from. The prostitutes are selling their conscience, purity and birthright in order to have a meal. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, you know that in Kenya, we face a challenge in political commitment, particularly by the electorate because they do not have food on the table. So, what is important for a country that does not have food security is food. In fact, the citizens of this country care less about the kind of food you give them. They just want food. They have in the past, partaken of genetically modified foods and to tell them the foods should be banned would be contrary to modernity and would not solve their problems. So, I want the Mover to agree that our previous and current Presidents were not wrong when they asked the world to come in aid of Kenya by giving Kenyans food. They did not restrict the kind of food to the type which is not genetically modified. They felt that a human being who has a full stomach is reasonable, rational and could work towards improving his or her welfare. I want to entirely agree with all hon. Members who have been opposing this Motion, saying 2012 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES July 12, 2006 that it should have expressed a desire to urge the Government to regulate rather than ban the genetically modified foods. With those few remarks, I beg to oppose."
}