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{
    "id": 467729,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/467729/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 216,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "cent indigenous cattle, 92 per cent of sheep, 93 per cent of goats, and 99 per cent of camels; further aware that livestock is the economic mainstay and source of livelihood for the populations in these areas; noting that it has potential to reduce unemployment, especially among the youth by supporting livestock based industries; concerned that this economic potential in production remains untapped while the areas continue to lag behind other parts of the country in development; recognizing the renewed Government commitment to transform livestock production; cognizant that livestock products enjoy an insatiable market both locally and abroad; further aware that value addition would enhance marketability and returns from livestock; the Senate urges the respective County Governments to prioritize and urgently set up modern abattoirs and related facilities to stimulate livestock production and business. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me say from the outset that the reason I amended this Motion to urge the respective county governments and not really the national Government is because under Schedule Four it is clear that this function of agriculture, especially abattoirs, is the function of the county governments. Also, it is important for us here at the Senate to start engaging with our county governments because that is the most important role that we have. We should oversight also what our county governments are doing. We should not necessarily just allocate money and ensure that it gets to the counties, but also know what our counties are doing with it. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, when it comes to the pastoralist areas, there is no other better thing for them than tap on their most valuable asset; that is, livestock farming. When we say that agriculture is the backbone of our economy and we value it, most of the time we are talking about crop farming. However, we do not talk and give the relevance and importance to livestock farming that it deserves. It is a fact that in our country, livestock farming has been playing almost second fiddle. It is time that counties which have this as a resource that has not been tapped, realized that it is one of their key economic backbone. This will not only help the people of those counties, but people in other counties. Here, I am talking about Garissa, Turkana, Marsabit, Wajir, Samburu, Laikipia, Moyale and Isiolo counties. These counties will, not only transform the lives of the people who live there, but for the first time they also will contribute to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We will start being valued as people of this country who are also developing it by contributing to its economy. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I know that in the previous Government, under the leadership of the former President, Mwai Kibaki, there was a lot of work that went into ensuring that livestock production was enhanced. There are abattoirs which are being put in place in many counties. I know that the one in Isiolo County is almost complete. But I am urging the County Government of Isiolo and even the neighbouring counties to fast- track the opening up of this abattoir. This abattoir will serve the people of that county and its environs. It is also important to note that this Motion does not say that each county should open an abattoir. One county can open a tannery while another one can have the major abattoir, so that our counties can work together to ensure that livestock farming and production is taken to another level. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}