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{
    "id": 503205,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/503205/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 330,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 440,
        "legal_name": "Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen",
        "slug": "kipchumba-murkomen"
    },
    "content": "(Sen. (Prof) Kindiki): Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker Sir. I would like from the outset to thank the Senator for West Pokot County, Sen. (Prof) John Lonyangapuo for bringing this Bill. This Bill is timely in as far as it tries to handle or strengthen the security situation in our country which is a matter of big concern. It is only fair to say that Kenyans are concerned. Kenyans in urban centres, in agricultural areas, pastoral areas and in all walks of life are concerned that the security situation is not as good as it is supposed to be. As I speak, I have just seen a news alert that some four people have been killed in Marsabit by bandits. As you are aware, what is happening in Mombasa for the past few days is not good. As we look at this problem of security and how our security can be strengthened, let us look at it holistically. While it is true that most of the challenges around security are in pastoral areas and areas that have been marginalized, this Bill should be in such a way that it also looks at the possible roles of reservists even in other parts of the country, including agricultural areas and also in the urban centres. It is true that pastoral theft, insecurity and death in marginalized areas have been a big problem. In my own county of Tharaka-Nithi, especially Tharaka Constituency, there have been cases of bandit attacks and cattle thefts, which normally take place because the bandits seem to use the Meru National park as a conduit, a hiding place and a transit facility to assist them to get away, especially when they come late in the evening. Therefore, tracking them becomes difficult. That is why I would start by supporting what the speaker before me, Sen. Murungi, said- at least he spoke when I was here -I do not know if there has been another speaker in between, but I want to support what he said that insecurity is not necessarily a problem of the pastoral area, it is affecting all counties. It affects even those counties where pastoralism is not overly the way of life. Even where there is a mixture of pastoralists and agriculturalist, there is this problem. Therefore, there is need to include the training of KWS officers so that they can have techniques to combat cattle rustling and such like instances. It is important to highlight that the Jubilee Government has tried to address this problem. I know the issue of insecurity was part of the Jubilee Manifesto. We are not yet there, but it is also good to acknowledge the positive steps that have been taken in the last one and half years on this issue of insecurity. As you are aware, we are on the second year, where the Government has recruited 10,000 thousand extra police officers. The first bunch was recruited last year. Unfortunately, this year the delay in recruitment has been caused by court battles. There were issues that were raised, but I think that we need a country where certain national activities can go on and those who are, perhaps, aggrieved can have other ways of getting compensated or expressing grievances. 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."
}