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{
    "id": 253278,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/253278/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 258,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. A.M. Mohamud",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Regional Development Authorities",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 261,
        "legal_name": "Abdi Mohamud Mohamed",
        "slug": "abdi-mohamed"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this chance. A lot has been said about the causes of conflict in the regions we are discussing and some solutions have also been suggested in this House. However, I think the most important thing that should be addressed in the region affected is development. When we develop a region, it gets a multiplier effect. What has been said about the infrastructure and safety of livestock among other things, does not only benefit the people living in the area. It also benefits the economy of this country. Nearly three quarters of our land in this country falls under the ASAL. Almost 75 per cent of our wildlife in this country is found in the ASAL, yet those are the most underdeveloped regions. When you solve the problems in the ASAL areas, you will have solved the problems of cattle rustling and fighting for resources like water. The main problem in the areas is underdevelopment. That should be addressed. Secondly, in those areas, there is endemic poverty and under-employment. It has already been said that the only gainful employment we get is with the security forces. However, the recruitment qualifications keep on going up. Recently, the Police Department was recruiting people April 19, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 581 who had attained a minimum grade of D+. Today, the department is asking for people who have attained at least a minimum of C-. Unfortunately, our people cannot attain that grade. Those are some of the issues that should be addressed. We need employment. As part of the affirmative action, more people from our region should be employed, even if it will mean lowering of the qualification grades. I would like to touch on some of the solutions to insecurity. One of the reasons why people arm themselves to fight other communities is due to lack of security personnel. At least, let us admit that the police officers there are few. Yesterday, on one of our local television channels, we saw a man saying that he lives 300 kilometres away from where police officers can be found. For him to reach the security personnel, he would have to walk to another constituency. Most likely, the police officers he finds may not be armed and maybe, they have no means of transport. Of late, the Government has really tried to take care of transport by providing a few vehicles. However, those are not enough. We would like this House to vote for more money so that we can have adequate equipment. The other issue is that of capacity building. We do not want a District Officer to tell us how security matters should be handled. We would like the people themselves to identify their opinion leaders. We would like to build on the institutions that are there. There are people who are prominent and can solve those issues, including hon. Members and councillors. This also includes police officers and other people who handle security matters. Institutions should be started and given the capacity in terms of training. We must be given funds to carry out training sessions. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the other thing which is very important is the state of our institutions like the Armed Forces. Let us be very frank. I do not know how many barracks for the Kenya Army are in Nairobi? Why should these barracks be in Nairobi? They should be taken to Turkana, Wajir, Kisumu and other areas."
}