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"content": "including my own county of Nyeri, you will see very steep gradients where the forest cover has been removed. We then come to this Senate and debate how to set aside money for disaster management. Part of that disaster is erosion, movement of soil and landslides all of which come from the destruction of the environment. Instead of planting trees on steep gradients and saving the gradients and the environment, we cut the trees and then provide money to cater for those who will be covered by the soil that will then come down following the cutting of trees. It is enlightened self-interest that we protect the environment and ensure that steep gradients that lead to rivers are protected by ground cover so that we protect even the rivers. If you travel in most counties, you will find that rivers, especially during rainy seasons are completely brown. When you see that brown colour, it is not just the soil that is making rivers brown. The brownness is carrying chemicals and fertilizers directly from farms. People then draw that water into jerricans, take it to their houses and drink it. It is the same as taking a cup of water putting some farm chemical and a bit of fertilizer, stirring the cup and then drinking it. It is because we have destroyed the environment, cut the trees and vegetation that would have stopped the flow of chemicals, fertilizers and other farm inputs into our rivers. Therefore, we need committed individuals. The current environment Cabinet Secretary (CS) is very good. I have a lot of time and respect for Prof. Judy Wakhungu, who is a committed individual in terms of the protection of the environment. Indeed, she has drawn up policies that can do that. She is also clearly getting support from Parliament. At the county level, the County Executive Committee Members (CECs) responsible for environment must similarly get engaged so that they can take steps. The county governments must allocate sufficient funds to engage themselves in the implementation of the policies. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, some of these situations are also opportunities for job creation. For instance, if we want to increase our forest cover in the counties, we can agree that women and youth groups can grow those trees in nurseries and then we will then buy from them; which means that they will get opportunities to earn some money. We can have them plant the same trees in areas that we need to increase forest cover, particularly, in areas that have steep gradients that can stop soil erosion. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we need serious planners in our urban development. What you find is that, even in Nairobi, if you go to some of the areas like Eastlands, you will not find an acre of anything green. It is a concrete jungle that runs for miles on end. That is a land grabbing and planning problem. Even school fields where at least there would have been some greenery or some sort, has been grabbed. Studies have shown that an individual who lives in a concrete jungle thinks very differently and behaves differently from an individual who engages with nature. Trees and environment is nature. Therefore, as we go towards growth of urban areas in our counties, we will need to plan and develop our urban areas. Nyeri, Kakamega, Bungoma and Kisii are expanding. I was there and saw it for myself. As we do so, one of the key things that we need to do as a Senate is to insist on strong planning divisions in the county governments. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when people start growing residential and industrial areas, they can be within a planned system so that tomorrow, the people who grow up in 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"
}