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{
    "id": 531354,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/531354/?format=api",
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    "content": "seen women trying to fend for their children and they are unable to feed them because there is no food. We have seen people from the lower part of Murang’a asking for relief food because it is no longer the issue of north eastern; it is a national issue. Although we have many other authorities which are dealing with these issues, it cannot hurt to have a national board or authority to deal with this problem. I also agree with some of the speakers who have spoken before me in terms of the funding, because any authority is as good as the resources allocated to it. We will be seeking to make sure that this authority does not rely on the gifts or the goodwill of the Government of the day. We should put in law that some is money be allocated for the authority to do its work. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the other point is the representation of the Council of Governors (CoGs). Yesterday as I was watching my Governor appealing for relief food, it was very heartbreaking. I was also concerned because when this Bill came here, it did not have any representation from the CoGs or from the counties. We, as the Senate, it is our responsibility to make sure that even as this Board is constituted, we have a perfect representation from the CoGs or a representative from their committee, depending on how they operate, so that they can give input, because they are the people on the ground. The people starving in the counties, the children lacking lunch or food in the schools are in the counties and the Governors are the ones who feel the heat before it comes to the national Government. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the role of this NDMA is not just on paper, but it is going to do quite a substantive job and add value to what is already going on. In fact, it is supposed to actually do research and advise any other authority, body or agency that is dealing with issues of drought; it offers technical support and that is why we must support it. When we look at the projections, in the next 10 or 20 years – depending on how we are very good in environmental destruction and how we are not protecting our environment – this 80 per cent will actually grow. If we do not mitigate, then we will go back and I do not know what we will tell our children or grandchildren. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to support this Bill fully and say that despite having other agencies, it still suffices and it is still very crucial that we have a NDMA that is actually anchored in law; with proper channels of funds and with proper management to deal with the drought problem in this country. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to support."
}