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{
    "id": 530648,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/530648/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 88,
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    "content": "are implemented? The problems we have today are not because we lack laws. We can continue amending laws, but we shall not be doing service to our people. With regard to the forests, the Constitution states that we should have a minimum of 10 per cent forest cover. However, whenever questions are asked here about forests, the national Government comes with figures stating that we are at six per cent and moving towards 10 per cent forest cover. The Government does not show us where that six per cent is. Therefore, we, as a country and a Government, have not done enough to protect our environment despite the fact that the UNEP headquarters is in this country. We should be on the forefront. We have been given examples of countries outside Africa which have done well in forest cover such as; Belgium, Korea, Japan and Scandinavian countries. We, as the host of the UNEP, should be in the forefront. However, we are not providing the example despite the fact that we have laws. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, my lamentation is that the national Government has failed to do anything about our environment despite the long period that we have had laws and we are now devolving. We are asking the Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) to pass laws and to oversight. We are asking governors to form environmental institutions when the national ones have failed. Do the governors have the capacity to plant trees? I see them planting trees when there are no rains. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I emphasise on pollution in the rivers. We cannot get fish from our rivers. When we get fish from rivers, they are already infected with disease. The disease is passed on to individuals. We dump our garbage at any open space. You have been to Mombasa many times. As you cross the island going to the airport just beside the sea is a dumping ground. You have to cover your nose as you cross the channel. I know that Sen. Wangari has passed through that channel and experienced the awful smell. That dumping is supervised by the Mombasa County Government yet we say that we have devolved environmental management to counties. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I decry the lack of action by the national Government. I propose that in all areas of environment; whether pollution of rivers, cutting of trees, noise pollution or mining, unless we take serious steps and wake up to the fact that our environment is in serious need for checkup, our future generations may not have a good life. The diseases which are so common and prevalent today are as a result of the environment that has deteriorated in the manner it has. With that, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to support this Bill and hope that this time round, we shall act and ensure that sanctions prescribed in this Bill are effected. I support."
}