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{
    "id": 615607,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/615607/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 199,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Sakaja",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13131,
        "legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
        "slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
    },
    "content": "Marrakesh Accord in Morocco. That is why even if you look at the activities of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN on forest conservation and management, you will find that they play a key part. I would first of all like to acknowledge the good work that the KFS has been doing when it comes to conservation of forests. I would like to note that this Bill takes it a notch higher by making sure that there is better co-operation and co-ordination between the KFS, the national Government and the county governments. The work of conserving and taking care of our forests is taking of a legacy and heritage. It is not for us necessarily, but it is for generations to come. This must be a shared responsibility and that is why this Bill is really progressive in the manner in which it shares out this responsibility and in the manner in which it gives that responsibility even to individuals who are forest managers. It also provides how we can transition some public forests into private management so that the county governments and individuals play a stronger role. We know that many people have been looking at the benefit of forests, but have not put in commensurate investment to the management of the forests. I hope that the county governments will play their part in investing in our forests. This is because investing in our forests is investing in the future of this country and the sustainability of our environment, as much as Kenya only contributes, probably, 1per cent to the global emissions as has been discussed in climate change global summits. Kenya has been noted as one of the strongest countries internationally when it comes to environmental conservation especially through our focus on using geothermal energy and non-fossil fuels. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, this Bill provides for the classification of forest, of course, for better management. It also provides for the creation and management of public and community forests where communities can come together to manage forests. The creation of private forests is also provided for. This is so that one can be recognized for the role he or she plays as a private forest owner. I am glad that Article 43 talks about procedures through which concessions can be given where the KFS is satisfied that the utilization of a public forest can be done through the granting of a concession. The KFS is able to grant the concession subject to the Constitution’s Chapter V on land and resource management. It is good that the Service is not given a blank cheque to grant concessions, but there are also guidelines that have been spelt out through which the concessions can be given. First of all, there must be an independent Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) that is done. The Service must be satisfied that the granting of that concession will have a positive impact based on that EIA. Of course, there must be public consultations. It is good that this Bill, in the Second Schedule, spells out how this public consultation can be done. The grantee of the concession must be able to comply with the guidelines and the management plans. It is not a carte blanche that once you have been granted concession then you will manage the forest the way you want; it is not that you will just start your logging business. The grantee must also prepare EIA reports as required under any other written law or under this law. The person who receives a grant from the Service must protect the concession area from destruction and encroachment by any person. This responsibility has been 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."
}