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{
    "id": 548192,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/548192/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 172,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Lesan",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 506,
        "legal_name": "Wilfred Rottich Lesan",
        "slug": "wilfred-rottich-lesan"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I stand to support the petition that has been raised by one of my constituents, whom I am aware is raising it from a personal point of view because I know this is one of the tea growers in the industry. The issues raised by the petitioner are issues of a long lasting duration and, of course, affecting the citizens if this country, particularly the tea growers, not for a short time, but for a long time to come. This is so because of particularly one of the petition issues which has been raised and has to do with land. As you are aware, land is one of those things that have affected the way we live in this country and is going to do so for years to come. Indeed, most areas of land that was community land where the Kalenjins or Kipsigis lived years past, was annexed by the colonial Government between 1905 to 1916 and people brutally evicted from these lands without any compensation. The land was eventually used by her Majesty the Queen and, through her orders, it was eventually used by the multinational companies to grow the tea. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the people of the area still feel they belong there and that this land rightfully belongs to them. It is important that this issue is addressed, not only as a matter of tea alone, but also ownership of the land where the tea is. I suggest that this petition that has been raised by one Mr. Rop, be placed before this House and be considered seriously as it affects the lives of close to 2 million people, particularly as it deals with land. Mr. Speaker, Sir, there is a whole issue about reparation of the land. This is one of the issues that have been raised because it is something that is possible. It is possible for some form of compensation to be done for the people who were forcibly evicted, some of whom are still alive and have children. Some form of compensation can be given to the inhabitants of the area so that they feel a sense of belonging and ownership of the land which they truly believe is theirs, but was taken away from them. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I support that the petition be put before this House and matters which have been raised be considered seriously. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir."
}