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{
    "id": 6374,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/6374/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 381,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Maj-Gen. Nkaisserry",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister, Ministry of State for Defence",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 192,
        "legal_name": "Joseph Kasaine Ole Nkaissery",
        "slug": "joseph-nkaissery"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, on 29th October, 2011, I had the opportunity to host the Right Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya in my constituency at Namanga. The Prime Minister himself undertook to ensure that the two Ministries; the Ministry of Livestock Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, take that matter seriously to ensure that AFC is cushioned so that the livestock farmers or the farmers who had loans with the AFC, the loans would be waived. The Chairman of AFC was asked by the Prime Minister to address the gathering and he promised that if the Government is going to cushion AFC, then they have no problem in waiving those loans. This is a very important Motion because, for example, employment in pastoralist areas depends on livestock. This livestock was completely wiped out during the prolonged drought. Many people, about 80 per cent, from pastoralist areas are poor. They cannot and are not in a position to pay their loans. Not that they do not want to pay the loans but they cannot afford to pay the loans. Now the collateral that is being held by AFC might cease because AFC is threatening to sell land of these poor people and that we will not accept. We will not accept since the Government had promised to ensure that the farmers will not be harassed. First and foremost, as we wait for the Government to make a decision, whatever decision it will make, I can assure you that we will not be able to pay these loans, including myself, because we have nothing to pay the loan with. I do not have a loan with AFC but I am talking on behalf of the pastoralist community or the livestock farmers. Therefore, Kshs2 billion or Kshs5 billion for a country to allow its own citizens--- Pastoralists own about 80 per cent of land in Kenya. Now if you are going to sell that land, where will the pastoralists go? In any case, the loans advanced to our people are actually part of our taxes. Therefore, we cannot be punished because of a natural disaster. It is not our mistake but a continuous national disaster and the country declared it a national disaster. Therefore, if it is a national disaster, why should we pay the loans which were caused by a national disaster? Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Motion is very important. I am wondering because as I speak here, there is no single Minister from the Ministry of Livestock Development and the Ministry of Agriculture. That is why we have a problem. As a Government Minister, I feel bitter if something concerning citizens is being debated here and yet the Ministers concerned are not there to listen to the grievances from the representatives of the people. I am a representative of the pastoralists---"
}