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{
    "id": 253252,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/253252/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 232,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Prof. Maathai",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 226,
        "legal_name": "Wangari Muta Maathai",
        "slug": "wangari-maathai"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving this opportunity to contribute to today's important Motion. I think that the death of our brothers in Marsabit almost ten days ago should be a wake up call for Kenyans to appreciate the need for us to extend development to the norther part of our country, which is largely arid, semi-arid and even a desert. When the Norwegian Nobel Committee gave me the laureate prize they clearly wanted to send a message to the world that managing resources, and having good governance, is very central to peace. I am very happy that Kenyans and this House have been very supportive of me and what that prize means. Managing well resources means making sure that there is equity. If there is no equity in a country, you will continue to have a small number of people having a lot of resources and a large number having very little. When there is no equity in a country, there will be no peace no matter how much we talk about insecurity. Our people in the northern part of this country are fighting over April 19, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 577 grazing land. They need water and all those things that His Excellency the Vice-President and Minister for Home Affairs, and many hon. Members, talked about. We really need to act. Kenyans have a habit of talking a lot and doing very little. I have a feeling that we may talk very passionately, especially now that we have lost our 14 brothers. Despite the killings in the north, we shall continue to sing songs in this House. I wish that we could spend the next few years trying to implement what we know clearly is needed. We know that our people need water. When we went to Marsabit District, I saw large amounts of rain water going to waste. Along with it, went the little fertile soil in that part of the country. Why are we not harvesting rain water? We ought to be there tomorrow harvesting rain water, and giving our people water so that they do not fight over it. I would like to ask the Minister for Lands to consider zoning this country, so that some areas can only be used for grazing, and others for agriculture and other activities such as national parks. This is because we really need to teach our people that time has gone when we could have large numbers of animals grazing on land that was gradually desertifying, and becoming part of the Chalbi Desert. We need to cater for a certain number of animals. The Government should use resources to support farmers to earn their livelihood from the few animals that they should keep. I think leaders from these areas should invest in promoting peace. I want to congratulate them for the unity they have demonstrated and the desire to support our people in the north. We have to teach our people to learn not to retaliate. Are there no traditional ways and means of reconciliation, so that we do not have endless revenge? When you hear a person has been killed, there has to be revenge. Are there no traditional ways of dealing with conflict? I wish we could use some of our traditional methods of reconciliation, so that we do not have to kill our neighbours, because some of us have been killed, or our animals have been stolen. I do not have to repeat what has already been said in terms of what the Government needs to do. We are in the Government; in fact, we are the Government. There is absolutely no reason why we cannot go to this part of our country, and do what should be done. We should take resources to our people and promote equity, so as to give peace a chance. With those few words, I beg to support."
}