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{
    "id": 6416,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/6416/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 423,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Njuguna",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 20,
        "legal_name": "Peter Njuguna Gitau",
        "slug": "peter-gitau"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. Let me start by thanking the interim chairman for getting an opportunity to chair this session. In addition, let me thank the Mover of this Motion, Mr. Namwamba, for this very critical Motion that he has brought to the House. This is a Motion that all of us need to support. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. It has been the backbone of our economy for the last 47 years. Therefore, it is important that more action is taken to revive this sector. It is very clear in our minds that our country was ravaged by drought for almost three and a half years. Our rivers dried and dams also dried. Even strange diseases were seen in this country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, you will also recall that this country underwent a very traumatizing period because of the food shortage in the country. We also realize that even the President of this nation declared the situation a disaster. That was a very wise move because the international community was sensitized to address our situation. They responded in kind and even provided food supplies. In addition, we need to remember that Kenyans came out very strongly by giving out very huge financial assistance because of this plight. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is, therefore, important to realize that this country cannot forge ahead without a very strong agricultural base. The role that has been played by the AFC since Independence needs to be strengthened. Therefore, to strengthen the AFC is to empower the farming community in this country. It is appropriate that farmers must be given relief and caution, so that they can go into commercial production. Farmers, once facilitated with adequate funding, will be able to feed 40 million people of this country. Farmers should not only think of producing food for domestic use, but even for export. We have our neighbouring country such as Ethiopia with a population of over 80 million. We need to export food to them. We can also export food to Southern Sudan, the newest State in Africa. The COMESA market is a very wide market and the Kenyan farmers must be supported to venture into it. It will also create job opportunities for the youth in this country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, our youth have been indulging in alcohol because they have been idle. However, if we paid a lot of attention to this sector, we would revive it and the youth of this country would get employment. The way the Government has invested in primary and secondary education, is the same way it should invest more money in the agricultural sector. This Grand Coalition Government will leave a very historic legacy in terms of road infrastructure; the same way it should leave a mark in the agricultural sector. The AFC must be reformed. It should be led by professionals, but not political appointees, so that these people will be sensitive and understanding about the plight of farmers in this country. Leadership of the AFC must be effective and efficient in order to deliver the services that are required by our farmers. One segment of the population of this country that was badly affected during the post election violence was the IDPs. These are our brothers and sisters and they went to the AFC to get loans. Some of them invested this money in the livestock industry and others in the farming industry. You will realize that these people were displaced and traumatized. However, they still owe money to the AFC even if they do not have land. Therefore, it is important that we think of how we can write off all these loans, so that they get relief. As we do so, it is important that we think about their sentiments."
}