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{
    "id": 644940,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/644940/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 248,
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    "content": "among them, the issue of the International Criminal Court (ICC). I take this opportunity to thank God for the opportunity that was given to the innocent people who were in The Hague. They were charged at the ICC for crimes that they did not commit. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we must be aware of some of the issues that can bring problems and even conflicts. These are international problems like the territorial boundaries. We are aware that, to date, Somalia and countries around the Indian Ocean are staking a claim on swaths of ocean some of which belong to the territorial waters of this country. I urge this Government to make sure that they go through the international treaties to make sure that these issues are resolved by discussion and other means rather than by confrontation or war. The Speech made by the Head of State touched on issues like the international boundaries which we all know have raised eyebrows. I was pleased to hear the President addressing serious issues with regard to agriculture. Most of the counties that we represent in the Senate are rural counties whose communities rely heavily on agriculture. When you go around the country and see these farmers, you shudder at the amount of poverty that is afflicting them. I was glad to hear the President mention the provision of subsidies like fertilizers to the farmers. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I realised that subsidies that were given to farmers were lopsided. This only favoured maize farmers. We do know that farmers dealing with other crops like tea contribute significantly to the economy of this country. Therefore, they need to get these subsidised fertilizers so that they are able to increase the output. I want to use this occasion to urge the Government to subsidise fertilizer for tea farmers so that their take-home pay which at the moment is meager is increased. Secondly, it is important that we start to relook at the organisation of the authorities that we have formed to run the agricultural sector. It is time that they are reorganised. We are knowledgeable and we can carry out a re-organization of these bodies to make sure that there are maximum benefits. There are organisations such as the Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) and Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) which require strict and extensive reorganization in order to benefit the farmers. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, value-addition is the only remaining factor that will improve farming in this country. If we combine technology and value addition on the products made by the farmers, we can improve the livelihoods of our farmers. I was glad to hear that the Government is looking into some of these issues. Technology is one of the issues that we can look at now, so that we can add value to some of the products produced by farmers as they transit into the market. The Senate Majority Leader has made a significant contribution on what is happening at the counties. He has mentioned again and again the word ‘corruption.’ Corruption in the counties is, perhaps, the greatest undoing of devolution that we are trying to impart. It is important that this House relooks at the regulations, laws and procedures that are used in the counties, to ensure that devolution thrives in the country. This is because it has already shown, albeit in a small way, that it is useful. Therefore, we need to protect devolution. One of the threats that I can foresee in the next general elections is the ill-gotten money from the devolved governments. There are millions of shillings in the hands of people who do not deserve to have that money. This money will distort representation of The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}