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{
    "id": 479757,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/479757/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 162,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Limo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1915,
        "legal_name": "Joseph Kirui Limo",
        "slug": "joseph-kirui-limo"
    },
    "content": "We have a case where there is a total failure by some of the bodies which are created to protect the environment in this country. An example of such authorities is the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA). NEMA has completely failed to protect Kenyans. When they are given instructions to do an environmental assessment and give a report which shows impact on communities around, they do not do that in good faith. An example is a situation where in my constituency there is a big excavation from which materials for building roads are taken. The quarry has become a curse rather than a blessing to the community. About a month ago, a lawyer, who had been hired to represent the locals, the people who do not have anything to pursue compensation, came and took all the cows in the village. So, we need a law to protect the people who live in places where we discover minerals like precious stones; the law should protect people against unscrupulous businessmen and even lawyers. This is because it makes people poor. These are the issues which are going to cause conflict. As I am speaking now, the residents of the area called “Kisabo Village” are really suffering. I do not want a situation in this country where people in Kitui or Kwale will be suffering in the same way. We want a law which ensures that compensation is provided for people who are moved for create room for mining, or who border mines. Another resource which brings a lot of conflict in our communities is forests. Forests should managed in the same way; we should come up with a law, or amend the Forest Act, to ensure that communities, counties and, therefore, the people who live around the forests get a better benefit than what they are getting because they are actually the people who watch trees grow. Whereas copper and gold can be mined and you are not able to see how it develops--- You cannot know what happen underneath the top soil, but we can see trees growing. A forest becomes a curse to a community because other than firewood, there is nothing else they get. Miners come and take everything, leaving communities around with nothing. In fact, in the Bill I will propose at the Committee Stage that we even enhance the percentage of the benefit to the communities to even 30 percent, because they are the people who have actually been taking care of places where minerals are. At the Committee Stage we will ensure that we move amendments to enhance benefits to communities, so that they are well taken care of. We should also ensure that we describe properly who the communities around the mines are. This will ensure that people do not fight in future. With those few remarks, I would like to end by saying that we must ensure also that we protect and enhance the small businesses in this country. As we prepare to approve those who will engage in mining, we should ensure that entrepreneurs who employ the youth, women and people with disability they give these groups special attention, because they can also mine, especially if the Government assists them to acquire proper machinery. Likewise, saw millers in this country, who harvest trees, must give priority to the local people, so that these people get a chance to build entrepreneurship skills; they should be given a chance to buy proper machinery, so that they are not chased around by people who have never seen trees growing. I say this is a very important Bill, and we must ensure that it goes through, but with a lot of benefit to local communities. Thank you hon. Speaker, I support the Bill."
}