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{
    "id": 530639,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/530639/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 79,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the environment is, indeed, life. Environment destroyed, means destruction of mankind. We have looked at as our forests and different species of animals disappear. It has been mentioned today that fires are burning in the Nandi Forest, yet the Government has turned a blind eye to it and is not interested to even comment on that disaster. You can imagine how many species of animals and plants are getting destroyed by these fires. Is it because we do not have resources to manage such catastrophies? No. I think it is ignorance. Most of the destruction of our environment is human made; the sprouting of industries left, right and centre, without due regard to its effects on human beings. We have just been looking at the Uhuru/Owino catastrophe in Mombasa where a lead factory was put in the midst of the population of people. We now have cases of lead poisoning leading to death and maiming of children. We also have the sprouting of gold industries in Kakamega and Migori counties where we have mercury used without any protective gear. We have started seeing cases of mercury poisoning. Mercury and lead poisoning are very slow poisoning that you may not see within a short time, but they tend to develop chronic illness not related at all to the mercury you are looking at. They cause nerve interference to human beings, early dementia, abortions and so on. It takes time for one to realize that what is happening is poisoning of some heavy metals to the environment. This is because of the negligence of the so-called public officers at that level for not alerting the Government and the population of the introduction of a poisonous chemical. This includes the haphazard use of other chemicals in spraying like insecticides and fertilisers. We have seen a lot of this in the treatment of tobacco in Migori. Very poisonous chemicals are used and the springs are being poisoned and nobody knows what people are thinking at that level. Therefore, environment is life. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is interesting that we have to think of reviewing and amending this Bill just because we have to align it to the new terminologies in the new Constitution. This is an issue that we should be concerned about. Every year, new issues should be picked up and lined up for action because we have new chemicals, new factories and so on. It is, therefore, important that every Kenyan should be aware of the impact of the environmental management in the livelihood of citizens."
}