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{
    "id": 649498,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/649498/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 158,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Onyura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12833,
        "legal_name": "Michael Aringo Onyura",
        "slug": "michael-aringo-onyura"
    },
    "content": "What we are lacking is not the laws. There are adequate laws as seen in the Constitution and the Bill. The implementation and application of the law is what is lacking. That is where this comes in clearly, particularly the area that this Motion zeroes in; the issue of maintaining cleanliness. It is very unfortunate that in this region and continent, the simple issue of cleanliness and hygiene is not taken seriously, yet it is in our interest to maintain cleanliness and good hygiene. There are some diseases for example, cholera, typhoid and many others that occur as a result of poor hygiene, dirty environment, unsafe water and lack of toilets. These are simple issues that can be addressed at family, county and State level. This is what we are being called upon to do and it can be done. I support the idea of setting aside a day where everybody can focus on cleaning. Soon after completing college, my first job was with the Provincial Administration. Through the initiative of the District Commissioner (DC) at that time in that town, he set aside every Friday as a day whereby everybody in the town would just come out and clean. Initially, the response was slow and a bit reluctant. As it picked up, it became routine and everybody seemed to be happy with it and they saw the benefits. In addition to that, the issue of education and awareness should be integrated into our school curriculum and programmes. Right from nursery, the issues of personal and family cleanliness should be emphasized and awareness created. I do remember also during my school and college days there was a tree planting day. I do not know what happened to it. It was held every year at the start of the long rains and we looked forward to participating in tree planting. That needs to be brought back and taken seriously. We should invest in waste disposal, including recycling. Apart from making our environment clean and getting rid of some of the nuisances like plastics, it will create an economic activity. It is an area we need to look at, research into and invest so that we can use waste to generate energy. As I end, there used to be public health officers popularly known as “Afya Bora”. I wonder what happened to them because they were effective. They went round homes giving necessary education and enforcing on matters of cleanliness and hygiene. That office needs to be revived, given capacity and strengthened so that it can also help in this area. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I support the Motion."
}