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{
    "id": 660730,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/660730/?format=api",
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    "content": "forestry education, vocational and technical training courses in forest conservation and management. Allow me to also highlight another provision in Clause 21 on the functions of the county governments because it is important for this House. Part of the forestry area is vested in county governments especially the implementation of forest policy which is done by the national Government. Part of the functions of the county governments in the area of forestry will include implementing national Government policies, managing all forests on public land under county governments and reporting to the KFS with the approval of the county assemblies. In other words, they should be submitting reports to the KFS through the relevant county assemblies. That will give the local people an opportunity to have a say in how forest resources are managed at the local county level. Madam Temporary Speaker, the other function of the county government is to promote forestation in the county, assist communities and individuals in the management of community forests or private forests. There are three types of forests; public, community and private forests. The county governments have quite an extensive role. The county assemblies in every county may enact legislation to give effect to this Act. In other words, this is not the alpha and omega on forestry management and conservation. This law allows each county to have enabling legislation that gives effect to this Act. Madam Temporary Speaker, in the interest of time, I will mention two other clauses so that I do not speak for too long. The issue of counties is important for this House. Basically speaking, this act is simply promoting sustainable development, intergenerational equity and also to ensure that people who commit offences related to forestry are meant to pay not just in terms of criminal liability but also in terms of economic liability. In international environmental law, we call it the polluter pays principle. Any person who degrades the environment must be held responsible not only by criminal sanctions but also by economic sanctions to restore. For instance, if you cut trees unsustainably or beyond the licensing; other than criminal sanctions, you should be forced to pay monetary compensation that can recreate or replant that forest. Without much ado, this is an important Bill. It is one of the Bills that have a deadline. The deadline was supposed to be 27th September, 2015 as the Chair communicated earlier this afternoon. However, the National Assembly had to extend that deadline to 27th August this year. We have many other Bills of this nature. I hope the relevant Committee and Senators in the plenary will put effort to ensure that we do not let the country down. I have no doubt whatsoever that this House is in a position to deliver in the shortest time possible to ensure that the legislations that have constitutional deadlines are enacted by the time we go on recess because 27th August falls within our scheduled recess which starts at the end of July. So, we have a lot to do. However, as usual we will rise to the occasion and deliver to the people of Kenya. Madam Temporary Speaker, with those many remarks, I beg to move. I request my friend, neighbour and senior in the legal profession, Sen. Murungi who is also the King of the part of the country where I come from and where I am the spokesman, to second this Bill. 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"
}