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{
    "id": 30592,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/30592/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 209,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Prof. Kamar",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 33,
        "legal_name": "Margaret Jepkoech Kamar",
        "slug": "margaret-kamar"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we did not ratify just for the sake of ratifying. It is true that a specific policy called the Wetland Policy does not exist as of now. Those are some of the policies that we are working on alongside many other policies that the Ministry is currently working on. However, there are other policies that guide the protection of a wetland from siltation. Under our Agricultural Act, the protection of river beds and wetlands is already articulated. When we talk about cultivation around wetlands, the same law that applies to cultivation around rivers and all other water bodies applies. River lines are already protected. We are all aware of the law that we use in the National Environmental Management Agency (NEMA) to protect the riparian area. We have other pieces of legislation that do the same. The protection of land from soil erosion and agricultural management policies are also there. So, while we are trying to harmonize our policies in line with the new Constitution. We know that we may have to merge some policies and come up with others. However, there are other policies that take care of most of the issues that the hon. Member has talked about. The problem has been the implementation of even the existing ones. Soil erosion, siltation of dams and rivers is under agricultural management. They should have protected our wetlands and the riparian areas. However, the management part has been a challenge. As I mentioned earlier, we have a challenge whereby people cultivate right into the wetland, especially for vegetable production. That is not legal and those are the things we are peddling with between NEMA and the other Ministries that we are working with."
}