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{
    "id": 49373,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/49373/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 287,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mrs. Mugo",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Public Health and Sanitation",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 85,
        "legal_name": "Beth Wambui Mugo",
        "slug": "beth-mugo"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I said, hon. Olago was concerned about our security regarding radioactive materials, especially after the accident in Japan. On specific concerns, I would like to say that the Government of Kenya has a board that deals with radioactive materials. Although this Ministerial Statement had been requested from the Ministry of Energy, radioactive materials and such issues fall under the board on radiation, which regulates the sector according to the Act. Despite the efforts by Japanese authorities to control the meltdown of the nuclear reactors, damage continues to spill out of control, until it reached the highest accident scale. On the international nuclear and radiological events scale, such radioactive releases have long-term health effects over a wide area across borders. It is for this reason that the International Atomic Energy Institute (IAEI) is offering technical support to the Japanese Government. It is also liaising with other States through response and assistance network. The IAEI continues to liaise with the Japanese authorities to monitor the situation as it evolves. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to the steps taken by the Kenyan Government, after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in Ukraine in 1986, the Radiation Protection Board (RPB) put together a mechanism to monitor food imports and other consumer products at the port of entry to guard against entry of contaminated products into Kenya. It is a requirement of the RPB that consumer products imported be accompanied with a radio analytical certificate from a corresponding regulatory body in the country of origin. Where a radio analytical certificate is not available, the board demands that imports must undergo radio analytical tests locally before the goods can be released. The board works closely with the Customs Department of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) in this regard. Last year, the Government, with the assistance from the United States (US) Government, has installed 11 radio action photo monitors at Kilindini Port to scan all containerized cargo arriving at the Port. The monitors are now operational. They are guarding against importation or exportation of illicit radioactive or nuclear substances. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ministry is also in the process of constructing an expanded central radioactive risk processing facility. That facility is intended to accommodate the increased number of disused radiation sources from various users for purposes of safe storage awaiting natural decay. This is an important project for the country because radioactive waste management is necessary if we are to keep our environment safe from contamination from radioactive materials. Therefore, I would like to assure the House that all the foods and other imports entering the country are accompanied by a clean certificate, and those which do not have the certificate are tested. Thank you."
}