{"id":637121,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/637121/?format=json","text_counter":424,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Chepkong’a","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":1154,"legal_name":"Samuel Kiprono Chepkonga","slug":"samuel-kiprono-chepkonga"},"content":"Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairlady. I rise to support this proposed amendment. It provides for a roadmap within which a petition that is coming or emanating from any Kenyan that is dissatisfied with a particular process can be considered. This ensures that due process is guaranteed under the law. We do not want people to be treated in a whimsical manner. We are the representatives of the people and we have the power to alter or decide that a particular place shall be a forest and provide for the money to compensate the people. There must be a due process. I spoke to Hon. Wario and I am sympathetic to him that even a place where he was born was degazetted. It was not a forest when he was born. His ancestral land is now a forest. There was no consultation to ask people whether that place should be a forest. The forest is for the benefit of the people and not meant to injure people in any manner. These are our forests and so, if a place is going to be gazetted, then, due process must be undertaken by those in authority. I support the process. The good thing is that it will come to the National Assembly and the Senate and so, no one will do things in a whimsical manner. It will be subjected to due process."}