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{
    "id": 590519,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/590519/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 182,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Khaniri",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 171,
        "legal_name": "George Munyasa Khaniri",
        "slug": "george-khaniri"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to respond to a statement that was sought by Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo. One, he wanted me to state whether the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is aware of the destruction of indigenous trees for charcoal burning in the North Rift particularly along Kerio River in Kolowa Ward neighbouring Tot in Marakwet and Chesegon in West Pokot which is being facilitated by senior national and county Government officials. The response to this particular question is that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities is aware that there is charcoal burning taking place, particularly in Kolowa and Tot areas of Baringo and Elgeyo- Marakwet counties, respectively. The charcoal is produced from material originating from clearing of vegetation to create room for an irrigation scheme in Kolowa and Tot areas which has been sanctioned by both Baringo and Elgeyo-Marakwet county governments after being approved by respective environment committees comprising of officers from both the national and county governments. However, there is unauthorized charcoal burning taking place within Chesegon in West Pokot, Turkana and other counties. The Cabinet Secretary assured me that the Ministry has been and will continue taking all necessary measures to curb this malpractice which is bound to interfere with the fragile ecosystem within the arid and semi arid areas. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Forest Act of 2005, that became operational in 2007, has clear regulations that govern sustainable production and regulation of the charcoal industry in the country through the charcoal rules that were developed and gazzetted in 2009. However, following the promulgation of the Constitution in 2010, some functions that were previously performed by the national Government were devolved to the county governments. One of the functions that the Ministry devolved to the county governments vide the Legal Notice No.137 of 9th August 2013, is the forest extension services under which the charcoal industry fall. Currently, all the charcoal produced in the country originates from private and community lands. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}