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{
    "id": 63059,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/63059/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 855,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Lesrima",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister, Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 178,
        "legal_name": "Simon Saimanga Lesirma",
        "slug": "simon-lesirma"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, before the House adjourned the other time, I was going to say that this Bill professionalizes the extension services in this country. In fact, it begins by laying down the supervisory role of the Veterinary Board, which looks into the standards of para-veterinary training all the way up to university. The Board plays the supervisory role in checking that the curriculum and the facilities at universities are such that they can produce the best surgeons and the best of the para-veterinarians. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as you know in this country we have suffered in the hands of people who pretend to go to training centres for two weeks, come out and call themselves “ daktari”. They end up messing up our livestock and our own health as human beings. This Bill comes out very clearly, under Section 17, to define what qualifications shall be required, how long the training shall be; in fact, it is two years internship for para-vets, and a requirement to belong to association of para-vets. It also provides for penalties against anybody pretending to be a professional. This Bill, under the Second Schedule, defines the roles of the para-vets. I am pleased to note that among the roles will be the provision of extension services, which we are very much in need of in this country, and meat inspection. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I just want to bring to the attention of the House the fact that there is a critical shortage of staff in form of para-vets and surgeons in Kenya. I am told this country has a shortage of up to 1,000 vets. In fact, recruitment has been scarce. There was recruitment in 1994, 1997, 2008 and I think there is another one going on now. That very serious shortage needs to be taken care of."
}