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{
    "id": 578004,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/578004/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 120,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Kajuju",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 840,
        "legal_name": "Florence Kajuju",
        "slug": "florence-kajuju"
    },
    "content": "Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this Meditation Committee’s Report, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I congratulate the Committee for arriving at a consensus and being able to bring a mediated version to this House. It is a version that is agreeable to not only the Committee but also to the National Assembly and the Senate. That is a good beginning and the way to go to ensure that our relationship with the Senate is in the best foot. I have looked at this version vis-a-vis the entire Act. I find that it was important the Board becomes all inclusive. They have brought in the technical expertise but, if you look at the other members of the Board, you will find that they have taken the fact that agriculture is also a devolved function at the county level. Therefore, there is representation of the Council of Governors and devolution as a process. I have also seen that there is gender representation and representation of farmers. Looking at the composition of the Board as it were, you will find that all the interests of the key persons and stakeholders are represented. It is clear in the minds of Kenyans that agriculture is the mainstay in this country. Therefore, we should do everything that is possible to ensure that all the relevant structures are put in place so that even as we speak about Vision 2030 and other visions we have as a country, we shall know that we are food secure. The only way we can create food security in this country is to ensure that structures and systems are properly in place so that we can take care of the situations that farmers find themselves in. Be that as it may, I know issues of fertilizer have disturbed farmers especially in Meru County. We have fertilizers which are being sold at prices that farmers cannot afford. There are times that we have been told that prices of fertilizers have been subsidized but, when you go to the shops or retail outlets at the county level, you will find that the common ordinary farmer is not able to buy the fertilizer yet it is so important for them to get enough food for sale and their own consumption. I have looked at Section 2(b) of this Act and I find that the functions of the Board are well enumerated. The Board is supposed to manage importation and distribution of fertilizer. If we are going to import fertilizer, we have to know the rate at which we expect it to reach the common mwananchi who is the consumer. The Board should look at all these issues to ensure that the farmer does not suffer in the hands of entrepreneurs. We also have to look at the functions of the Board in as far as accessibility is concerned. Is this Board going to sit in Nairobi or is it going to ensure that it is moving within the country and counties? This is to ensure that information in as far as fertilizers and animal foodstuffs are concerned is understood and accessed by the mwananchi, the common person, the farmer so that they are enriched by it. That way, these people will deliver their mandate. I also appreciate the functions of the Board because they are also supposed to advise county governments on where to purchase and to deal with the issue of fertilizer. I think those are very important roles. Over and above everything else, what I have not seen in Section 2(b) is sensitization of the farmer. This Board must be able to go out there to farmers and advise them on how they can The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}