Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 501542,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/501542/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 96,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "It has been said that a hungry man is an angry man. Therefore, it beats logic for the Government to supply the reservists with firearms and bullets then refuse to ensure that their welfare issues are taken care of. When this hungry man who is angry sees a cow loitering around and he has not eaten for four days and decides to make meat out of it, he is arrested or you send police to go and kill them. Let us be reasonable; if you do not have the intention of taking good care of a person, then also ensure that he does not have a lethal equipment like a firearm. These people have given their lives to duty and we have seen that where the Government has miserably failed over the years to control issues such as cattle rustling, these reservists have done a commendable job. Since they are doing a commendable job, we should applaud, give them facilitation, conduct periodic in-house training for them, ensure that they have a constant, licensed, authorized supply of firearms and bullets to avoid illegalities, ensure that if one of them dies in the line of duty, the rest should remain encouraged to carry on with the same execution of that mandate. This will happen when they see the manner in which the dependants of the person who has lost his life are taken care of. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, these people need an insurance policy that does not only take care of themselves but also of their families. I do not see which line we are trying to draw between this group of people who are actually executing the same mandate as the disciplined forces and the disciplined forces who are locked in barracks somewhere when other Kenyans are executing their mandate. Therefore, let us not have double standards when these people are carrying firearms which the people in the barracks have. This firearm has the same capacity to kill just like the firearm in the barracks or in the police station. Now that they are carrying a firearm and have the capacity to do the same thing, let us treat them the same, otherwise withdraw the firearms. If we continue to allow and recognize the existence of reservists, then we must conduct a thorough audit to know who is a reservist. We must also find a way of carrying out physical identification so that in case of armed conflict, we are able to visually know who is a reservist and who is an attacker. Most importantly, I want to support very strongly that the welfare of this very important category of Kenyans be taken care of so that they can continue executing their mandate in a manner that is beneficial, not just to the host communities but to the Government by extension bearing in mind that most of the places the reservists have undertaken, a lot of duties happen to be areas classified as hardship areas. These are areas where even those who are trained, earning a salary and their welfare issues are taken care of, do not want to be posted to. This group of people is already familiar with those harsh climatic conditions, they are familiar with the terrain and are ready to put their lives on the line. When the Government uses the people within the community, it helps to save on demand on accommodation allowance because they operate from their homes. Therefore, it is much cheaper to maintain them in those areas if only we could have a structured format of engagement that allows them to have some form of facilitation, identification, welfare and appreciation when they lose their lives. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is very interesting because we have reservists from all parts of the country but of particular interest are those from northern Kenya. I have taken note of this particular group of people who are naturally warriors. They are very bold and 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."
}