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{
    "id": 627677,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/627677/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 225,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Letimalo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 68,
        "legal_name": "Raphael Lakalei Letimalo",
        "slug": "raphael-letimalo"
    },
    "content": "can acquire title deeds. For example, the cost of rates should be subsidised. That will help them get certificate of titles so that they can claim ownership of the land. Clause 21, which is in the same Part V, talks about conservation and management of resources in community land. What I am concerned about here is that some ecosystems have rivers which cover so many areas. You will find that there are diversions of water upstream to the extent that those rivers dry and the communities that depend on them downstream suffer a lot. I have an experience of the Ewaso Nyiro River, which transverses Nyandarua, Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo counties. Due to the diversion of water specifically in Nyandarua and Laikipia, the communities in Samburu and Isiolo normally suffer scarcity of water due to the waters of that river being used upstream. Those at the downstream really suffer. As much as the diversion of water may be useful particularly for farming activities, those people should be protected by the relevant bodies, specifically by the Department of Water. Clause 23 of the Bill deals with conversion of land. I have mentioned this area as being beneficial to the pastoral communities. The local authorities or the county councils that were there before the new Constitution brought in the devolved governments had absolute responsibility of apportioning portions of land for public use. They did it without consulting the community. They acquired land arbitrarily without involving the major communities. I am saying so because it is a problem we have currently, particularly in Samburu East, where over 100,000 acres of land was acquired by the Government through the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). That land was set aside for use by the military forces. While we have no objection whatsoever on the use of that land because we need our defence forces to carry out military trainings, what is really affecting us now is that they do not clear the fields after carrying out their military exercises. They have left a lot of live ordinance. This being a pastoral area, people go and graze their animals. Many people have been injured and they do not take any responsibility at all. They do not even take those people to hospitals or compensate them. When it comes to acquisition of land, the involvement of the community is actually important."
}