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{
"id": 30361,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/30361/?format=api",
"text_counter": 343,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Ms. Mathenge",
"speaker_title": "The Minister of State for Special Programmes",
"speaker": {
"id": 77,
"legal_name": "Esther Murugi Mathenge",
"slug": "esther-murugi"
},
"content": "As I speak, we are currently feeding 4.4 million Kenyans in Kenya. Looking at the weather patterns of this country, I can assure you that next year, we may double that figure. We can only overcome this by reviving an institution such as KFA which was charged with distributing seeds, fertilizer, tractors and other equipment to the farmers. If we can do so, then I am sure that we can also be a brain basket of East Africa. Indeed, Madam Temporary Speaker, if we are going to buy maize from Malawi, what is it that we are lacking in Kenya? I think we just lack policies, management and encouragement to our people. However, I want to request hon. Namwamba even as we revive KFA, that we also restructure the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), because I think the NCPB is overwhelmed by what it can do currently. Today, I know farmers in Bomet and South Rift are harvesting. But is the NCPB in a position to mop up all the maize that is there? We need to look at that. Even as we speak of maize, we also need to look at other areas, which are not cereal growing areas such as the area of Kinangop where we have potatoes and cabbage. As we revise the KFA, can we also look at factories such as the ones in Naivasha that used to dry vegetables, so that the areas that grow vegetables can also be revived and revamped so that people who grow vegetables can also be beneficiaries to this? The National Bank of Kenya is owed Kshs461 million by the KFA. This is a Government bank. This debt can easily be written off because of the benefits that it will give to the Kenyan people. Again, I want to say that the input, fertilizer and seeds that are distributed by the NCPB, maybe there are weaknesses with our network. That is why we are not able to reach every corner of this country. I think if we had two lead agencies such as the NCPB and the KFA working together, we would be able to rich a bigger outreach than we are doing now using just the NCPB. Perhaps, even as we revive the KFA, I would also suggest that the agency system that has been introduced to the NCPB can also be introduced into the KFA, so that when you take your produce to them, you are paid at a later date. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we have revived very many institutions. We revived the KCC which is now the new KCC. We know right now, we have surplus milk that the farmers are able to produce. So, I am almost sure that if KFA is revived, then the issue of giving food to Kenyans is really going to be a thing of the past. Once again, I would like to commend the hon. Namwamba for bringing this Motion. Please, let us look at the restructuring of the NCPB, so that we can have the two working together. I believe they will be compatible to each other and they will play a big role in Kenya. I believe although we keep on saying that 80 per cent of Kenya is not arable, I believe there is part of Kenya that cannot be arable. A big chunk of Israel is covered with rocks. However, we go there to beg for food. How many rocks do we have in Kenya? I believe with an institution such as KFA, we can produce enough food to feed every Kenyan and give dignity to our fellow Kenyans. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}