Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 607116,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/607116/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 205,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, regarding agriculture, rural and urban development, the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries looked at it and also gave us their views and we noted the following observations. There is need to urgently provide adequate funds for research particularly on disease resistant varieties of food crops to ensure food security in the country. The introduction of the Minimum Price Guarantee to farmers as an incentive is also one of the things that Members thought is critical and the development of Kenya Animal Genetic Resource Centre. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there are a number of issues that have been raised by the Committee. Hon. Members will have the opportunity to look at it, but I will mention very briefly on water. The Committee also observed that the programme to construct and rehabilitate at least 3,000 water pans of over 50,000m3 every year was a target that had been identified in 2014 and again identified in the 2015 Budget Policy Statement (BPS). The Committee found it important that the output arising from these targets be appropriately identified and published on a regular basis. On Governance, Justice, Law and Order Sector (GJLOS), we also looked at the reports from relevant Departmental Committee, which also had a number of observations. In particular, hon. Members felt the need for provision of litigation services to county governments under the Office of the Attorney-General. This is important because we need that service to be expedited so that county government can also enjoy the services of litigation advisory offices for the Attorney-General’s Office. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Committee also noted that Parliament should fast track the legislative process for the enactment of the Office of the County Attorney Bill, 2014, which is Senate Bill No. 37 and which is before this House. Members thought that the proposed allocations to the Judiciary of Kshs.17.9billion for the next financial year was inadequate to allow for the construction of the proposed 17 new High Courts and 15 new Magistrates Courts in addition to providing money for running of the courts. On the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Committee noted that grand corruption was on the rise and was undermining human rights, good governance and economic development in the country. Therefore, there is need for a specific programme in terms of the policies on fighting corruption. The details did not go far to provide any specific policies or key performance indicators from the relevant institutions. Further, there is need for Parliament to establish or extend the life of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC), noting that the Commission will stand dissolved by January, 2016. Lastly, it was also important to note that the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should take whatever measures necessary to ensure that it meets its target of registering 11 million additional voters in 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 Financial Years. However, from the Statement, that provision looks like it will not be achieved because of the resources that the Treasury proposes to allocate. 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."
}