Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 36449,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/36449/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 177,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. K. Kilonzo talked about the paradox that we have famine in some parts and there is maize in some other parts. I want to assure the hon. Member that the Government is fully aware of that reality that in some parts of the country, for example, in Transmara, where hon. Konchella comes from, parts of the Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western, they are harvesting. The Government has put sufficient money in place to buy that maize from farmers. This is to restock the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR), which has been exhausted as a result of the famine relief supply that we have been doing. So, the SGR had been invaded. We actually decided that we want to increase it from the original three million bags to eight million bags. That is what we are doing. The imports that have been allowed for the next six months are basically for the actual consumption. That is why we said we needed to import some maize before we harvest. We have almost exhausted the SGR that need to be restocked. So, we need to scale the stairs and chew the gum at the same time. So, the current imports are in no way going to interfere with purchase of maize from the farmers. He also asked about the ten years. He needs to know that I have been a Prime Minister. This is my fourth year. I was a Minister for Roads for three years. So, those were not ten years. Those are seven years. I was concerned with roads. The hon. Member is very well versed with my performance as the Minister for Roads. There is also need to judge me by my performance as the Prime Minister. We have put policies in place. Some of these measures take time to mature. For example, when you talk about irrigation schemes, you do not go there and construct them in a day. They take years to construct, particularly when you are talking about large irrigation schemes. I want to assure the hon. Member that suffieicient measures have been put in place to ensure that this country becomes self-sufficient in food supply over the next few years."
}