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{
    "id": 660742,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/660742/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 268,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 440,
        "legal_name": "Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen",
        "slug": "kipchumba-murkomen"
    },
    "content": "(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Madam Temporary Speaker, I take this opportunity to thank Sen. Murungi for his remarks during the seconding of this Motion in support of this Bill. I also wish to thank the Senator for Nyamira, Sen. Okong’o, for his contribution also in support of this Bill. It is hoped that when this Bill goes to the Committee, any amendments, including some of the suggestions that have made by both contributors, will be considered. In particular, I am in support of decentralization of the Kenya Forestry College (KFC). That college, as the Senator for Meru said, has been there for many years. It is a small college. I have reason to suspect the curriculum could also be quite restricted, narrow and old fashioned. It should be modernised because the threats to our forest cover and natural resources are changing with time. Even more importantly, challenges like climate change that are associated with how much forest cover we have, need to be taken on board in that curriculum. Even further critical is the need to infuse modern methods of management and conservation of forests. These include teaching our experts in forest management and protection on the roles of various levels of Government because we have never had devolution before. We only had a centralized system of Government. I am sure that as the decentralization of the college is envisaged, which I think is a good idea, it is also important to look at the curriculum so that we modernize it and put it at per with modernity. Madam Temporary Speaker, those are useful comments. Another comment which has been made is about public participation, especially with regard to community forests. The best people to protect forests are the people who live in the neighbourhood. There must be a way, through this Bill or even through the enabling legislation that county assemblies will pass in various counties, to recognise and utilize the local communities in the conservation and management of forests. What has ruined our forests is that over-securitization of forest resources by the government against the local communities. For example, if you are spotted collecting firewood in the forest, there have been cases of injuries where some are even shot or arrested. Yet, research has shown that if local communities can be encouraged to even access forests, utilize certain resources which are not harmful to the whole idea of forestry and forest management in exchange of giving information on forest invaders who cut trees illegally and do other criminal activities, then that would be a step in the right direction. For example, there is a lot of honey in forests. I see nothing wrong in allowing controlled honey harvesting by neighbouring communities in exchange for community involvement in protecting forests against other people who may want to cut trees, degrade forests or use forests for illegal activities. So, that area of community participation is an area that can be built on either through this Bill or even enabling legislation by various county assemblies as provided for in 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"
}