Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 396073,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/396073/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 35,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mulu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1955,
        "legal_name": "Benson Makali Mulu",
        "slug": "benson-makali-mulu"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker. I rise to support this Motion because it is very important. Just as hon. Mwaura is saying, it is important that we use the word “resolve”. I was also wondering whether, other than just saying “reviewing the prices”, we actually say “reviewing the prices upwards”. That is really the basic thing. If you look at milk and what we call the nutritional value of milk - I am talking about milk from a cow, goat and camel. Over time, milk has been used in place of mother’s milk where mothers are not able to allow the young ones to breast feed. On the basis of that, milk becomes very important to the growth of our young ones. But despite all that, just as the Motion says, you find that Kenyans pay more for water than they pay for milk. I think this is quite unfair. Therefore, based on the nutritional value, it is time the Government makes serious decisions and resolves that milk price should actually be improved. Secondly, when you look at what it takes to produce a litre of milk, it is a lot of work; starting all the way from buying a cow, feeding it, employing people to harvest that milk and at the same time, getting people to distribute it. In spite of all these efforts, you realize that the prices of milk are quite low. This has discouraged Kenyans from participating in dairy farming. In our rural areas, dairy farming is providing a lot of employment to our young people. Since they are not able to get white collar jobs, they have actually resorted to dairy farming. Hon. Deputy Speaker, what I have in mind is the increasing number of zero- grazing units which have created employment for our young people; more so in the area of Napier grass production. There are those who are producing Napier grass so that those who are producing milk can buy from them. There are those who are engaged in distribution. Young people have been employed to take milk to the market using bicycles while some walk to the customers. This has really engaged our young people. So, in terms of employment, dairy farming has contributed a lot in ensuring that our young people have employment. When you compare what it takes to produce a litre of bottled water as compared to a litre of milk, it is evident that more is required to produce a litre of milk. It is really bad for Kenyans and also our farmers to see Kenyans pay more for water than they pay for a little of milk. With those points, I support this Motion and recommend that the price of milk is reviewed upwards so that our farmers are able to benefit and at the same time improve their standards of living. With those remarks, I support the Motion. Thank you."
}