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"id": 470114,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/470114/?format=api",
"text_counter": 42,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Karaba",
"speaker_title": "April 25, 2013 SENATE DEBATES 5 The Senator for Kirinyaga County",
"speaker": {
"id": 232,
"legal_name": "Daniel Dickson Karaba",
"slug": "daniel-karaba"
},
"content": " Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me the chance to continue with the debate on the Presidential Address which was delivered on Tuesday, 16th April, 2013. Before the time business ended yesterday, I was discussing the Address vis-à-vis the kind of development that we continue to enjoy in this country, except in Kirinyaga County. In Kirinyaga County, we grow three major cash crops, namely tea, coffee and rice. In Mwea Constituency, for example, we have the largest settlement scheme in Africa growing the largest amount of rice. We have problems facing the inhabitants. This country continues receiving second class rice imported from Japan and Pakistan at the expense of what is grown in Mwea Constituency. As a result of this, farmers in Mwea Constituency suffer a lot, especially when it comes to marketing the said produce. If the kind of devolution we are talking about will affect the produce and the sales, so that we continue generating enough revenue which later on will be redistributed, as we learnt this morning, it is imperative that the Government has to look into the plight of the many farmers in Mwea Constituency who continue to suffer. Now that the country is experiencing heavy rains, all the crops have been covered by waters from the raging floods. Sometimes there is drought which also affects the same crop. Indeed, when this crop is harvested, there is a lot of money that is generated. Part of that money goes to the central kitty for redistribution. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is my wish that when we approve the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Land and Natural Resources, they will visit Mwea Constituency. We would like them to understand the problems farmers are facing and see what the Government can do for them. These farmers need to continue growing enough rice whose sales will earn local revenue and foreign exchange for our country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, roads in this area are in a deplorable condition contrary to what majority of hon. Senators may think. The roads are in very bad shape. The raging floods have cut off most of the road network in this area. Most farmers are not able to access the paddy fields. I would like to request the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to ensure that areas producing such cash crops are tarmacked and the roads are well maintained. This is the reason roads are tarmacked, to enable access to tea and coffee factories. We also need to have such roads in rice growing areas. We now have bridges which have collapsed as a result of the current heavy rains. This will render farmers in Kirinyaga County unable to deliver their produce to the market. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on the issue of laptops, I was the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education in the lower House. I hope to chair this Committee in the Senate. The laptops are a very important tool in our learning institutions, particularly for class one pupils. I visited countries such as Japan, Korea and Malaysia where laptops are used by pupils in class one. There is nothing new if laptops are introduced to children in this country because it has been done in other countries. After all, ambition is what makes a man. There were several people who were ambitious enough to want to become President of this country. However, only one person clinched the seat. It is important to imagine that whoever won, with that ambition, has to make the right decisions. We should give the Government time to implement this programme. I hope the IT professionals and scholars in the educational institutions will be involved in making sure that this dream is realized. This programme is very good. It is important for us to take off 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."
}